Health

FEATURED DEBATE

Should We Erase Bad Memories?

In the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kate Winslet’s character undergoes a procedure to erase her bad memories of her ex-boyfriend. But what if we could do the same in real life? Neurotechnology techniques, such as decoded neurofeedback, open the possibilities of influencing the brain’s neural activity to modify or erase memories that aren’t pleasant or beneficial to our well-being. Those who argue in favor say it could help offer a path to psychological well-being and emotional healing from traumatic and painful memories that lead to anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Those forgotten painful, unwanted memories would give…

August 18, 2023
LEARN MORE

FEATURED DEBATE

August 18, 2023
LEARN MORE

Should We Erase Bad Memories?

In the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kate Winslet’s character undergoes a procedure to erase her bad memories of her ex-boyfriend. But what if we could do the same in real life? Neurotechnology techniques, such as decoded neurofeedback, open the possibilities of influencing the brain’s neural activity to modify or erase memories that aren’t pleasant or beneficial to our well-being. Those who argue in favor say it could help offer a path to psychological well-being and emotional healing from traumatic and painful memories that lead to anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Those forgotten painful, unwanted memories would give…

Nita Farahany

ARGUING YES

Nita Farahany
Author of "The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology", Professor at Duke University, and the Founding Director of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
Sigal Samuel

ARGUING NO

Sigal Samuel
Senior Reporter for Vox Future Perfect and co-host of the Future Perfect podcast

Childhood Obesity Guidelines: Good Medicine or Too Extreme?
In 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued groundbreaking guidelines to tackle childhood obesity, affecting over 14 million U.S. children and adolescents. These guidelines advocate for earlier, more aggressive interventions, including evaluating adolescents with severe…
With Julia Nordgren, Janna Gewirtz O'Brien
March 29, 2024

Should We Erase Bad Memories?
In the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kate Winslet’s character undergoes a procedure to erase her bad memories of her ex-boyfriend. But what if we could do the same in real life?…
With Nita Farahany, Sigal Samuel
August 18, 2023

Is Social Media Bad for Kids’ Mental Health?
Social media platforms have become an integral part of the modern digital landscape, shaping how young individuals connect, communicate, and perceive the world around them. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential negative consequences…
With Candice Odgers, Jim Steyer
June 25, 2023

Is the FDA Too Cautious?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Atlantic criticized the US Food and Drug Administration for moving too slowly to approve vaccines with the provocative headline “The Death Toll of Delay.” Not long before, National Public Radio…
With Colin Hill, Peter Lurie
June 23, 2023

John Donvan In Conversation with David McRaney on the Science of Changing Minds
What’s it take to change a mind? It turns out there is a science to it. That’s at least according to David McRaney, a journalist, author, and host of the You Are Not So Smart…
With John Donvan, David McRaney
March 17, 2023

Should We Eat More Processed Foods?
Processed food is bad for you, right? Well, there’s more to this story. As new technologies create foods that can’t be made in home kitchens, such as plant-based meats and dairy products made with plant…
With Michael Gibney, Kevin Hall, Marion Nestle, Amy Webb
July 11, 2022
Load More

THE LATEST

Explore All

DEBATE COMMUNITY
Join a community of social and intellectual leaders that truly value the free exchange of ideas.
BECOME A MEMBER
EDUCATIONAL BRIEFS
Readings on our weekly debates, debater editorials, and news on issues that affect our everyday lives.
NEWSLETTER
SUPPORT OPEN-MINDED DEBATE
Help us bring debate to communities and classrooms across the nation.
DONATE