Saturday, 15 August 2009

It's difficult to believe that underneath the polished surfaces of downtown Manhattan, beneath the ad-hoc matrix of subway tunnels, and further down below the anaerobic internal urban organs that miraculously churn out those stiflingly sweaty summer days in even the fairest of barometric climes, sits Paul Glimcher, coherently scheming and patiently plotting, surrounded by a small but loyal cadre of great apes and postdoctoral fellows anticipating his every decision.

Glimcher is one of the founders of the burgeoning new field of neuroeconomics.  Having written the book, made the video, and talked an awful lot in terms people actually seem to understand, he is positioned to be a leading man in what may turn out to be the opening act of a great new era of understanding of the human mind, and how people make decisions.

With his exhaustive knowledge of the history of science and the characters who helped shape it, Glimcher is sure to find a place for himself in the pantheon of neuro-pioneers and in the milieu of innovative New Yorkers of note.