Unveiling the Role of V1 as a Saliency Map

The chapter explores a theory challenging the traditional notion that attentional guidance is solely a behavior attributed to frontal or parietal areas, emphasizing the significant role of V1 in the visual cortex despite initial perceptions of it 'doing very stupid things.' Through circuit simulations, the intricate workings of V1 in determining the saliency of visual stimuli are discussed, showcasing a model where millions of neurons locally communicate to prioritize the most salient features in the visual field and guide eye movements based on relevant cues.