Eric Kandel

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Bao is a 2018 American computer-animated short film written and directed by Domee Shi and produced by Pixar Animation Studios. It is notable for being Pixar's first short film directed by a woman. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was shown in theaters before Incredibles 2. The story is a richly layered narrative that explores themes of parenting, Chinese culture, and the complexities of family dynamics, particularly the experience of empty nest syndrome. The title "Bao" plays on the dual meaning of the Chinese word 包, which means both "steamed bun" and "to treasure something precious".

Plot

The plot of Bao revolves around a Chinese-Canadian mother suffering from empty nest syndrome. She gets a second chance at motherhood when one of her handmade baozi (steamed buns) comes to life. The story unfolds as she raises the bao as her own son, going through the various stages of parenting, from nurturing and protective love to the struggle of letting go when the bao grows up and wants to leave home. The narrative cleverly uses the metaphor of the bao to explore the emotional journey of parenting and the universal theme of letting children go into the world.

Production

Bao was inspired by Domee Shi's own experiences as a child of immigrants and her observations of her mother's experiences with empty nest syndrome. Shi wanted to tell a story that was deeply rooted in Chinese culture while being accessible to a global audience. The production team undertook extensive research on Chinese communities in North America to accurately depict the cultural nuances and details in the film. The animation process also involved careful attention to the textures and movements of the bao and other food items, making them integral characters in the story.

Reception

Upon its release, Bao received critical acclaim for its storytelling, animation quality, and emotional depth. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 91st Academy Awards, making Domee Shi the first woman of color to win in this category. Critics praised the film for its innovative narrative approach, cultural authenticity, and the way it addresses complex emotional themes through the simple yet profound metaphor of a steamed bun.

Themes

The film is rich in themes that resonate on multiple levels. It explores the universal experience of parenting and the bittersweet nature of children growing up and leaving home. Additionally, Bao delves into aspects of Chinese culture, immigrant experiences, and the fusion of traditional and modern values. The film's emotional depth is achieved through its exploration of love, loss, and reconciliation within the family unit.

Legacy

Bao has left a significant impact on the animation industry and cultural representation in media. It has been lauded for its pioneering role in bringing diverse cultural stories to a wider audience and for breaking barriers for women and people of color in animation. The film's success has opened doors for more stories that explore similar themes and has highlighted the importance of diversity and representation in media.

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Eric Kandel is a renowned neuroscientist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of memory, learning, and the biological mechanisms that underpin these processes. Born on November 7, 1929, in Vienna, Austria, Kandel emigrated to the United States with his family to escape the Nazi regime. He has spent much of his career at Columbia University, where his research has focused on the physiological basis of memory storage in neurons.

Biography

Eric Kandel's early life in Austria and his family's escape to the United States set the stage for a distinguished career in neuroscience. After completing his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, Kandel pursued medical training at NYU School of Medicine. His interest in the biological mechanisms of memory and learning led him to switch from a focus on psychoanalysis to neuroscience.

Research and Contributions

Kandel's groundbreaking research has centered on the sea slug Aplysia californica, a choice that allowed him to study the simpler neural circuits involved in reflexive behaviors. His work has elucidated how changes in synaptic strength underlie learning and memory, a concept known as synaptic plasticity. Kandel's contributions have been pivotal in demonstrating that short-term memory involves transient changes in synaptic strength, while long-term memory requires protein synthesis and changes in gene expression.

For his contributions to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in memory, Eric Kandel was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000, shared with Arvid Carlsson and Paul Greengard.

Legacy

Kandel's work has had a profound impact on the field of neuroscience, influencing not only our understanding of memory and learning but also the broader implications for psychiatric disorders. His research has paved the way for exploring therapeutic approaches to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and depression. Kandel's interdisciplinary approach, bridging psychology, neuroscience, and molecular biology, has inspired generations of researchers in the field.

Selected Works

Eric Kandel has authored several influential books and articles, including Principles of Neural Science, a seminal textbook in the field. His autobiography, In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind, provides a personal and scientific overview of his life's work and the development of modern neuroscience.