Paul J. Zak is a scientist, prolific author, and public speaker. His book “The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity” was published in 2012 and was a finalist for the Wellcome Trust Book Prize. He is the founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and professor of economics, psychology, and management at Claremont Graduate University. Paul also serves as professor of neurology at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He has degrees in mathematics and economics from San Diego State University, a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and post-doctoral training in neuroimaging from Harvard.
Paul is credited with the first published use of the term “neuroeconomics” and has been a vanguard in this new discipline. He organized and administers the first doctoral program in neuroeconomics. In 2004, Paul’s lab discovered that the brain chemical oxytocin allows us to determine whom to trust. His current research has shown that oxytocin is responsible for virtuous behaviors, working as the brain’s “moral molecule.” This knowledge is being used to understand the basis for civilization and modern economies, improve negotiations, and treat patients with neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
The Limits of the Virtual
It often seems that nearly everything can be done and done better (or at least facilitated) online. But some activities (like this conference) remain resolutely non-virtual. What are the limits of the digital in products, services, the workplace, and business in general? What about human relations, communications, education and training, or science and medicine? Gary Bolles of eParachute, Alexa Hirschfeld of Paperless Post, Ericsson's Vish Nandlall, Facebook's Cory Ondrejka, and Paul J. Zak of Claremont Graduate University discuss. Watch video and read the complete transcript here.
Conferences
Techonomy 13
A new society is coming into being. People around the world are building it using the rapidly-evolving tools of technology.
