Prof. Daisy L. Hung, Sir Run Run Shaw Distinguished Visiting Scholar 2013–14, from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience of National Central University, Taiwan, visited Shaw College to speak on 'Brain and Life' on 26 February. She analysed how the connectivity of neural circuits in the human brain changes in response to changes in the outside world. Neuroscientists have observed the regeneration of the cells in the hippocampus, which plays an important role in the consolidation of information from short-term to long-term memory. The fact supports the crucial role of life-long learning and debunks the false belief in the importance of ‘winning at the starting line'. Using vivid and intriguing examples, Professor Hung illustrated that human emotions are cognitive interpretations of circumstances, meaning that the change in mentality can lead to changes in life.