Lean into the language of smell with me: we sniff things out, we follow a scent. We’re nosey!
Is this not curiosity, enacted? Embodied!?
So what do we know about our sense of smell, and might studying it offer insights into the way our brains explore, learn and remember?
Venkatesh Murthy studies smell. We have fun considering the many facets of smell, the merits of mice, the mysteries of memory, and two pungent truths: the perfume industry is huge and, ultimately, what matters most is survival.
“I don’t know if it’s lack of experience and us just not being deliberate about it, versus there’s a fundamental brain limitation. Could be either, but we don’t know.” ~ Venkatesh Murthy
Episode Webpage: https://lynnborton.com/2025/08/07/making-sense-curiosity-smell-with-venkatesh-murthy/