Short Wave: Could 'Severance' Become Our Reality?
Released on March 17, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of NPR's Short Wave, host Rachel Carlson delves into the intriguing intersection of neuroscience and the popular Apple TV show Severance. With the help of Dr. Vijay Agarwal, a neurosurgeon and the show's science consultant, the discussion explores the scientific plausibility of the show's premise, the ethical ramifications of advanced neurotechnology, and the profound connections between trauma, memory, and consciousness.

The Premise of Severance and Its Neuroscientific Foundations

Severance presents a dystopian scenario where employees at Lumen Industries undergo a surgical procedure that bifurcates their memories between work and personal life. This creates two distinct selves: their "innies" at work and "outies" in their personal lives.

Dr. Vijay Agarwal explains, “The amygdala and hippocampus help us process memories, but also associate very, very strong emotions, fear and hate and love with very specific memories. And so what better part of the brain to target than the area that allows us to, number one, process memories? And number two, associate those with some of the strongest emotions that we feel that make us human” (02:17).

The show's creator, Dan Erickson, along with executive producers like Ben Stiller, aimed for scientific accuracy. Dr. Agarwal recounts their meticulous efforts to ensure realism: “I remember taking a marker and writing on the whiteboard and printing out articles and printing out pictures and then really discussing it as a group about how we wanted to do that. It is very much scientifically, surgically, medically accurate” (03:01).

Neuroscience Behind the Concept

Rachel Carlson and Dr. Agarwal discuss how current neurotechnology parallels the show's fictional procedures. Dr. Agarwal states, “We are currently putting in electrodes to stimulate the brain... You could turn it on and off, you could open up different programs, you could change the way those programs function. That's exactly what we're actually doing with the brain” (05:08).

He draws a parallel with the early days of aviation, emphasizing the rapid advancement once foundational technology is established: “The Wright brothers really did the first flight in 1903. It was only 11 years later where we started flying people commercially... we have now in this field. We've taken our first flight, and now we're getting ready to take our first commercial flight” (05:08).

Dr. Agarwal elaborates on the targeted brain areas, highlighting the amygdala and hippocampus as ideal for separating memories and associated emotions: “If we want people to be able to walk, we would stimulate the motor cortex, which is the area of the brain that... controls our movement” (06:22).

Ethical Considerations of Neurotechnology

The conversation shifts to the ethical implications of such technologies. Dr. Agarwal poses a critical question: “Should we be doing it? Imagine being able to turn people's memories on and off and being able to enhance or decrease the sort of functional level of certain areas. Who do we decide has the power to make those changes?” (07:03).

Rachel brings up potential abuses portrayed in Severance, particularly focusing on episode seven's exploration of ethical dilemmas. Dr. Agarwal discusses the existential crisis posed by severing memory: “Are we not confronting the memories that bring us trauma? Are we just forgetting the memories, but still holding on to these very painful, traumatic emotions?... Are we not actually healing?” (07:42).

Trauma, Memory, and Emotional Health

A significant theme in both the show and neuroscience is the relationship between trauma and memory. Dr. Agarwal explains how traumatic experiences alter brain function: “Depression and severe depression... changes the way that your brain is firing. It's actually your neurotransmitters that are released... your brain is not firing appropriately. So if we just forget the memory, do we forget sort of the emotions that came from that memory?” (07:29).

Rachel highlights how characters in Severance experience fragmented trauma across their severed memories. Dr. Agarwal concurs, stating, “You can forget a memory, but it's a much bigger task to forget the trauma” (09:15).

Consciousness Transfer and Its Challenges

Fan theories about consciousness transfer in Severance are addressed with caution. When asked about the possibility of transferring consciousness into a new body, Dr. Agarwal is skeptical: “Everybody's brain is different, and everybody's brain functions differently... It takes years to develop that type of person that you are” (09:48).

He emphasizes the complexity of individual consciousness, noting how the show maintains character personalities despite memory severance: “The majority of the characters in the show, their personalities are maintained from their Audi to an Innie” (09:57).

Confronting Trauma vs. Escaping It

The episode further explores whether severing memories leads to genuine healing. Dr. Agarwal contrasts the show's premise with actual therapeutic practices: “Medicine journeys are to confront... Directly confront the trauma” (11:45). He points out that unlike therapeutic methods, the severance in the show represents an escape from trauma rather than a confrontation, questioning its efficacy in true emotional healing.

Reflections on Neuroscience and Future Directions

In concluding the discussion, Dr. Agarwal reflects on the vast unknowns in neuroscience: “The further you go in the ocean, the deeper it gets. That's a perfect metaphor for where the show is and sort of where this technology is” (13:04). He acknowledges that while significant advancements are on the horizon, our understanding of the brain remains limited, underscoring the immense potential and challenges that lie ahead.

Conclusion

This episode of Short Wave offers a compelling examination of how contemporary neuroscience intersects with speculative fiction. Through the lens of Severance, listeners gain insights into the possibilities and ethical quandaries of neurotechnology, the intricate ties between memory and emotion, and the profound impact of confronting versus escaping trauma. Dr. Vijay Agarwal's expertise provides a grounded perspective on the science behind the show's narrative, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (02:17):
  “The amygdala and hippocampus helps us process memories, but also associates very, very strong emotions, fear and hate and love with very specific memories.”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (03:01):
  “It is very much scientifically, surgically, medically accurate.”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (05:08):
  “We are currently putting in electrodes to stimulate the brain... That's exactly what we're actually doing with the brain.”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (07:03):
  “Should we be doing it? Imagine being able to turn people's memories on and off... Who do we decide has the power to make those changes?”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (07:29):
  “Are we not actually healing?”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (09:15):
  “You can forget a memory, but it's a much bigger task to forget the trauma.”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (09:48):
  “Everybody's brain is different, and everybody's brain functions differently... It takes years to develop that type of person that you are.”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (11:45):
  “Medicine journeys are to confront... Directly confront the trauma.”

• Dr. Vijay Agarwal (13:04):
  “The further you go in the ocean, the deeper it gets. That's a perfect metaphor for where the show is and sort of where this technology is.”

Note: Timestamps refer to the time elapsed since the beginning of the podcast episode.