Brain Circuits - How Do They Work?

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In a cubic millimeter of your brain, you have about a hundred thousand brain cells. That would give you a big clue about what the computation is that's occurring. I wouldn't be surprised if some day we could make a bi physicaly accurate simulation in a computer. In fact, for very small neral circuits, like in the crabstemetogastric ganglion eve martyr at brandise already has been able to do by or physically accurate, human understandable simulations.

Ed Boyden builds the tools and technologies that help researchers think about and treat the brain, an organ we still know surprisingly little about. When it comes to how our brains make decisions, form emotions, and exhibit consciousness, there is still a lot we can learn.

But just as fascinating as the tools Boyden and his team build is the way in which they build them. Boyden employs a number of methods to design more useful tools, such as thinking backwards from the problem, hiring eclectic talent, practicing a particular type of meditation, waking long before dawn, or just trying the opposite of what’s already been attempted.

Would emulating the brain require emulating the entire body? Is consciousness fundamental to the universe, or is it actually just an illusion? Does a certain disharmony in thought lead to creativity? Why don’t people feel comfortable talking about their brains? And why is it so hard for us to be empathetic with one another? Listen to this engaging and brain-stimulating conversation with Tyler to hear his perspective.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links.

Recorded February 5th, 2019 Other ways to connect

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