In Your Face

We see faces in everything. Facial recognition is an evolutionary superpower unique to humans. NOW STREAMING ON CBC GEM
Available on CBC Gem

In Your Face

Nature of Things

Two eyes, a nose, a mouth. We see faces everywhere and in everything, but what we don’t always appreciate is that our ability to recognize and distinguish faces is a superpower unique to humans.

In the documentary In Your Face from The Nature of Things, neuroscientists and experts illuminate the fascinating science behind human facial recognition; while computer scientists and others reveal the promise – and the dangers – of the rapidly-changing world of facial recognition technology.

Did you know?

  • The average person can remember about 5,000 faces, including thousands of celebrities they’ve never even met.
  • Some people are known as “super-recognizers” and can recall almost every face they’ve ever met.
  • Others are “face-blind,” unable to identify any faces at all — not even their own children, or their own face in a mirror.

Why are some people so much better than others at recognizing faces? And how come others are worse?

It has nothing to do with intellect. It’s all about how our brains are wired — a mystery that scientists are just beginning to unravel.

Credits

Stream Now on CBC Gem

In Your Face

Nature of Things

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