A decision neuroscientist, working on brain processes underlying decision making (Professor
@ChariteBerlin
& Head of dep
@Leibniz_DIfE
), my personal opinions
My phone rang and woke me up around 0:30. „you volunteered to host refugees, here is a mother with two kids and a cat. Cn you host?“ … „ok, when?“ … „now.“ 15 min later, they arrived with a volunteer. 🧵🧶 1/n
6/n kids started to play, without being able to verbally communicate. The cat would sleep on husbands desk. Sometimes people asked: isn’t it difficult? No. At least I can give them something. A sense of comfort to people who were chased away from their home.
10/n yes, we were 8+cat in our flat. We both have busy jobs and three little kids. Wasn’t this overwhelming? No. I could do something in my own way. I cannot solve big problems. But giving them comfort, helped me to focus. To focus on what actually is happening and how we live.
7/n “my friends also need a place to stay.” When I started the call to
#berliners
on tweeter, the response was overwhelming and all families were distributed (thank you all!). Whenever she sensed such generosity and empathy, she would break down and cry, without kids noticing.
5/n before my work started we rushed to get some urgent shopping to supply cat and kids. Then We gave her internet access and room to calm down after this journey. Once they realized being in security, they all slept, all day and all night.
11/n when the war started to destroy, on the other side, the band of empathy restored the faith. I am very grateful for all the silent helpers who acted unconditionally. I sense so much love for them. They demonstrated the true value.
9/n The band of trust we all had was so strong. The people in need would travel across country with my phone number only, with a certainty, they are being helped. We were all very moved. And when the little girl, shadowing her mom every second, held my hand, I cried.
Addendum-This tweet receives so much attention, I am very surprised. There are estimated ~10k refugees a day coming into berlin. Above, many stay in Poland, who incredibly help refugees. Berlin is only <10h car-ride from the Ukraine boarder. We see Ukraine cars everywhere in town
I am incredibly grateful how many ppl I connected with this. A colleague, who drove hours to host a pregnant woman due in 4weeks + kid (!!). When a mom-daughter were at the main station, not knowing where to go, a colleague just hurried over, picked them up and took them home.
4/n I could not sleep. Now the war came home, I thought. Can we handle? The next morning, they woke up early and asked again „how long can we stay? I need health insurance for my son. He is sick. We need to be registered.” I sensed a mom in max. functioning mode.
8/n unintended, I started to build up a little network of helpers across entire Germany, who were taking them over, once I forwarded. “Can you host?” “Yes. When shall I pick up?” Sometimes we did not know what their names were. We would just bring them to the station and tickets
2/n I went down to welcome. We could communicate with google translate. The driver said he would like to help them carry up the luggage 🎒into the flat, the single bag they had was smaller than my laptop bag and the cat cage. I sensed he wanted to check inside.
3/n I showed him sleeping kids and id to ensure him. He smiled, gave me a phone number and left. The family have been on the road for 4 days. „How long can we stay?“ „let’s sleep and talk tomorrow“ a conversation in silence. The three and 15 y/o were nervous.
Many Berliner host refugees now and you hear more ukraine everywhere. Many volunteer otherwise, as helpers at the main station, as a driver to drive down the donated goods, as translator. Everywhere, supplies are collected for refugees. Public transport and railways are for free
I am overwhelmed as many wanted to send me money. I do not accept money and am not well informed about situations in other countries. But there are many possibilities, like Red Cross or unhcr. Here are two direct links to help
Schools and kindergarten are making special Programms to make the refugee kids to feel comfortable. Kids and parents are being prepared beforehand, to welcome those. Night trains are being prep so that refugees can sleep a bit at the station to continue their travel on next day.
@Katlab_UCL
Things happen. The German insurance company recently called me:
„park“
„Can I talk to the professor?“
„Yes“
„You must be his wife“
„No, I am the professor“
„can i talk to your husband?“
„why? he is busy“
„Well, will call later than“
🫣
When I was a student, i used to work at a museum, that employed a security guard company. One guard, was obviously a skinhead with many scars on his head and looked very aggressive. One day, I started to talk to him, & he ended up talking to me (to my surprise)🧶🧵🪡
#berlin
we are hosting a
#refugee
#family
. They are connected to many other families who urgently need beds. Many don’t have passport and need to stay in berlin for now. In case you want to host, please dm me
#StandWithUkriane
#NoWar
Good morning. I love getting up with this view. When I was a student, I travelled from Berlin to Seoul via land ways, with transsibirian railway, crossing Russia, Mongolia and China. Spent many nights in the train, meeting wonderful people. I hope we can travel again in peace.✌🏻
It’s been a year since invasion. We recently realized that we had hosted roughly over 30 Ukrainian at home. Some stayed only for a night, some for months. Sometimes only two, sometimes multiple groups. Ppl like you & me. It could have been us. 🧵🪡🧶
My phone rang and woke me up around 0:30. „you volunteered to host refugees, here is a mother with two kids and a cat. Cn you host?“ … „ok, when?“ … „now.“ 15 min later, they arrived with a volunteer. 🧵🧶 1/n
In both examples, what helped us, was getting connected. They were both openminded to get in touch and that helped them to destruct prejudice. It was me, who was grateful, because I also could destruct my prejudice. And again, this is the key. 🔑 connectedness.
At least once a year, I offer every lab member a lunch date 🍜 in which we plan long-term career perspectives. Often, we talk about the life as such, what we will be doing in 10 years, where we are going to, and whether we are happy. I am incredibly grateful for these openess💓😍
In one of our study, we found that it is loneliness that predicts conspiracy believe. Lonelier persons report higher psychotic thinking and also greater degree of conspiracy believe.
Loneliness, feeling disconnected from others, fosters own negative thoughts in the lack of others, who may correct them or guide them. Others‘ opinions are used as a mirror. And loneliness fosters psychotic thoughts, that then after a while, it becomes real
Me asking kids for permission to host refugee
‚do we have to flee as well?‘
‚no, we are helping. They might be very sad and you have to share and support them. If you don’t want, we don’t do.‘
‚of course we want. They lost their home!‘
#solidarityWithUkraine
Why would you seek for a leader who works only, has no joy in life, has no reason to dance, does not spend time with friends and doesn’t know how to cope stress in a healthy way? We do need a shift in the system.
#SannaMarin
#leadershipdebate
#WorkLifeBalance
We are hiring! Are you up for innovative research in decision making in a international team?
@DecisionPark
is looking for two new postdocs to join the interdisciplinary decision neuroscience lab in Berlin/Potsdam (Germany). Please RT!
„Is this your mother?“ other kids would stand, stare and ask her. „No, she is from korea“ little girl responded, took my hand and move on proudly. 😅 from then on, village slowly started to say hi to me. To the one from korea, with a dog and a blond little girl, protecting me.
I am thrilled to see the demonstrations in many German cities. Especially in small towns in eastern Germany. This certainly encourages those who were uncertain. What is important now: we must not depolarize, no arguments, no „them“ vs. „Us“.
Today, I received my best review ever. Being selected for „what makes me happy“ award. 😭😭 he made a book on himself at school and brought it home.
#Familytime
#WomenInSTEM
Extremely stressful and work-overloaded Monday with stomach infection. Many nonsense discussions and in the evening my voice is tense when my 5y/o daughter hugs me all of sudden and says „mom, your voice makes me feel insecure“. I cried. Grateful for her openness opening my eyes
We need to get connected to each other, talk to each other. Respect each other, give each other the sense of belonging. Arguing loud, devaluing others, demonizing, we will disconnect ourselves. And this will grow the hate and misbelieve. Instead, we should listen to others.
Do we trust others who give us the correct information? How does the brain encode this? Check out the newest publication by Gabriele Bellucci, who did an amazing work
@DecisionPark
, feat
@moltaire
Father-in-law in town. He always brings me flowers 💐❤️ grateful to have FIL who supports and empowers working mom. One of my greatest mentor or life. I learn so much how to be a good FIL, parent and grandparent from him. Here are some observations 🧵🪡🧶
My 7y/o:
„where are you traveling tomorrow?“
„Vienna, that’s in Austria“
„to do what?“
„to tell ppl about our research“
„why can’t they come to you?“
„oh because these are all very busy ppl“
„you are also very busy“
🥰 I can’t tell how much I love these conversations.
Clara (5y/o) and I went to the pool. We observed an African boy jumping down.
C: why is his skin so dark? What happened?
Me: it is in him. It is like us, that our skin is as it is. Nothing happened. It is normal.
C: This is so beautiful, I wish I had skin like him.
Me: I know 🥰
🎄🎁 As a Korean decent, I used to have very different Christmas routines than most Germans. As a hybrid family, we redefine our Christmas traditions every year. No matter what tradition you have, wish you wonderful and relaxing days. A couple of thoughts about traditions 🧶🧵🪡
One day, I was alone in the garden and he stood at the fence. „Come here!“ I slowly walked over to him. A bit afraid. „Where are you from?“ „originally from korea“ „how is it there?“ „nice“ … „can you come over in the evening and show me and my wife pictures of korea?“ 😮💨🥺
Today, a loved colleague quit. She cannot bear the work any more. If she does not give up the work, she would give up herself. I was in tears that it could come this far. Take care everyone. You guys are great.
#burnout
#MentalHealthAwareness
#selfcare
This little lady is entering school this week. Went shopping with her today and she chose this amazing jacket I simply had to buy her. Biking home, at least four other women on the street, shouted at her „cool jacket!“ 😎🤩💫🌟🌠🌌
#empowerment
#momademia
#starisborn
#proudmom
Yesterday I attended a demonstration against the
#extremeRight
in
#berlin
. After that, we were invited to an old couple in
#brandenburg
whom we have known for many years. They sometimes looked after our kids and love them deeply. We were coming late. So I wrote them why. A 🧵
More than one million people in Germany took part in protests against the far right over the weekend.
This comes after an investigative report revealed a secret meeting where far-right AfD politicians met with extremists and discussed mass deportations.
At some point I asked what happened to his head. And he said that he used to be in the ‚scene‘, then left. „Why?“ „I fell in love with a Turkish woman as a young man.“ „and then?“ „I eventually left the town. I had to, if I wanted to be with her“
He turned out to be a sensitive young man. He opened up himself and many of my co workers liked him and we would joke together. We were always respectful to each other. He ended up to go out with us students and have fun. He was one of us now.
I cooked a Korean dish for my neighbor and she asked: what dish is this?
Me:it's Korean curry.
she: I see. I have been to Taiwan before.
And now I am really confused.
On our way to south, our bus, George, gave up on top of the alps. Well, we are now forced to stay a couple of days here, while George is in spa. How horrible can life be? Life is full with the beauty of unexpected.
#alps
#enjoytheunknown
#k
ärnten
In that evening, I walked over with my laptop and showed them many pictures of korea, where it is, how the food looked like, how we speak etc. They enjoyed it very much and we had a great evening. I used to walk a dog and one day, their little daughter started to accompany
Just sent off the childrens winter cloths to the Ukraine border. Now on my way to the main station to welcome / host. My Ukraine might improve…
#StandWithUkraine
️
I once asked a professor at the university why having full points in the exam was not sufficient for an a+. His response: „because men will have to feed their family, you will be fed.“ Still grieving for
#RuthBaderGinsburg
.
This little man turned 2. I am overwhelmed and grateful for him being such a gentle & joyful person, from whom I learn so much in this stormy times. He loves music, playing soccer and can cure every sorrow by cuddling & am honored to accompany him.
#familylife
#mom
#cuddlingfirst
My boy just turned 5. I cannot believe I am the honored person who can be there for him. Putting everything into the right place in this chaotic times.
Two years after that incident, I moved to a little village in Brandenburg for a few months. I was the only foreigner. My neighbor was a guy, shaved head (again many scars…), and always looked aggressive, talked very loud and never said hello. I was afraid of him
New publication from
@DecisionPark
out now: excellent work led by
@LuliubnupsyLu
and bunch of highly inspiring colleagues!
Can you imagine that your breakfast impacts your risk choices?
Me: refugees are coming because they lost homes, they are destroyed.
Clara (5): can’t they rebuild?
Me: sure, but not now, it is too dangerous, because there is war and people are fighting.
Clara: can’t we tell him to stop, so that people can keep homes?
Have you ever seen how
#horses
behave when seeing a
#toddler
? Very careful. Had the impression they adored seeing little human. Extremely careful and gentle moves when my son hugged their heads, touched their lips or kissed their eyes. So grateful they gave us comforts
Whenever I attend a jobtalk as a part of a search committee, I put on sth ridiculously mismatching. E.g. Bright purple 🟣 running shoes to my suit, in the hope, to break the uncomfortable seriousness for the candidates. So, you are welcome to laugh with me!
6 y/o daughter started school a month ago, came home saying kids want her to become the person who support them. Did not understand a word than today an email came, saying the class voted her to become the representative. 😭 Leadership is supporting
#kids
#proudmom
#momademia
In the last 40+ years, behavioral research (psychology) has been seriously devalued compared to neuroscience research. Neuro programs barely teach behavior. "Behavior only" papers don't get sent out to review. Grant proposals are withdrawn prior to review. /2
One of the things that junior scientists/students get very annoyed about is that reported findings are inconsistent. I would like to encourage them not to be afraid of. That actually is when the fun starts, in finding a pattern, or structure and making sense of. That is the game.
😃 Schon angemeldet?
Kommende Woche startet der 59.
#DGE22
Wissenschaftliche Kongress mit dem Thema "Der Kopf isst mit – Zusammenspiel von
#Ern
ährung und Gehirn", 16-18. März 2022 - online.
📌 Anmeldeschluss ist Montag, 14 März, 10 Uhr!
You surely know her from the ARTE documentary "Unser Hirn ist, was es isst" (eng. "Our brain is what it eats") and now she is our speaker: Next Tuesday at 4 pm (CET),
@DecisionPark
will give a fruitful talk about how food can affect the decisions we make!
🍔🧠🍔
#neuroscience
Karl (5y/o): why the flowers?
Me: because we remember.
Karl: what are we remembering?
Me: long time ago, a man lived here. He was taken away and this should never happen again.
Karl: where to?
Me:....
#Stolperstein
#NeverForget
#HolocaustRemembranceDay
We must stop the polarization. We need to talk and work together on this. No neglect, no demonizing, no underestimation. We are all alike, we all need to be treated with respect, we are all uncertain and seek for sense of security and bond.
Are you interested in innovative research on how decisions emerge and how we can optimize them?
@decisionPark
is looking for a postdoc to join the lab! Apply for a position in Berlin/Potsdam! Please RT!
I just came back from my second conference after pandemics.
Me: I am taking off a day for you. I will spend one full day with only you. That day, I am all yours. No siblings, no work. What do you want to do?
Clara (4y/o): Dienstreise (Business Trip). 😂😭