‘Severance’ science consultant on the reality of the technology : Short Wave : NPR

‘Severance’ science consultant on the reality of the technology : Short Wave : NPR

Adam Scott as Mark Scout in the series Severance, now streaming on Apple TV+.

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Adam Scott as Mark Scout in the series Severance, now streaming on Apple TV+.

AppleTV+

What if we had the ultimate work-life balance?

This fundamental question underlies the hit Apple TV+ show Severance – now in its second season. In the show, some employees at a company called Lumon Industries undergo a surgical procedure that alters their brain. Their memories are divided between work experiences – where they’re known as their “innies” – and their personal lives – where they’re known as their “outies.”

The show’s science consultant, Dr. Vijay Agarwal says the concept is “resoundingly” possible – and that the research closer than we think.

But the bigger question, he says, is: Should we be pursing this kind of technology at all?

More questions about the intersections of pop culture and science? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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Today’s episode was produced by Rachel Carlson. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. Kwesi Lee, Harrison Paul and Gilly Moon were the audio engineers.

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