Short Wave Brain Cells In A Dish Play Pong And Other Brain Adventures
Oct 21, 2022
In this discussion with Jon Hamilton, NPR's brain expert, listeners dive into groundbreaking advancements in brain research. They explore how dishes of brain cells have learned to play Pong, showcasing the incredible adaptability of biological neural networks. Hamilton also highlights the ethical implications of integrating human brain organoids into living animals for disease modeling. These developments provide fresh insights into intelligence, treatment possibilities for neurological disorders, and the future of AI-informed neuroscience.
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Pong and Childhood Memories
- Aaron Scott mentions their experience with the 1970s video game Pong.
- Their older neighbors owned an Atari, introducing them to the game.
Brain Cells Playing Pong
- Brain cells in a dish learned to play Pong, showcasing their ability to learn.
- This experiment aims to understand how brain cell networks acquire intelligence, differing from computers.
Making Tea: A Human vs. Computer Challenge
- Making tea in someone else's kitchen exemplifies how human brains adapt and problem-solve.
- This simple task, easily done by humans, highlights the difficulty computers face in generalizing learned information.