What if riding a motorcycle could rewire your brain—and reveal truths about society, risk, and human instinct?
Neuroscientist and cognitive theorist Mark Changizi joins the Futures Edge with Jim Iuorio and Bob Iaccino to explore how brain science, cultural evolution, and motorcycle riding intersect. Blending physics with cognitive science, he unpacks mass hysteria during COVID-19, questions the role of experts, and reveals how our responses are shaped more by culture than clinical data.
But that’s just the beginning. Drawing from his book The Motorcycle Mind, Changizi shifts gears into the immersive experience of riding motorcycles. From the thrill of countersteering and optic flow to the controversial idea that riding without a helmet can actually heighten sensory awareness, he explains why motorcycles are more than machines—they’re psychological tools for clarity, presence, and personal empowerment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Cangizzi
02:00 The Role of Experts and Data in COVID
05:54 Understanding Data and Its Interpretation
09:05 Mass Hysteria and Public Perception
13:04 Motorcycle Riding: A Unique Experience
17:02 The Science Behind Riding Motorcycles
21:03 The Psychological Aspects of Riding
29:58 Therapeutic Benefits of Riding
30:41 The Transformative Power of Motorcycles
33:09 Riding Without a Helmet: A Physics Perspective
39:11 Safety Improvements in Motorcycles
40:12 The Mindset of Motorcycle Riders
42:27 Engagement and Awareness on Motorcycles
46:39 Risk Assessment: Motorcycles vs. Cars
47:40 The Role of Noise in Motorcycle Culture
54:05 The Electric Bike Experience
55:11 Design and Evolution in Human Psychology