Brain Inspired BI 108 Grace Lindsay: Models of the Mind
Jun 16, 2021
Grace Lindsay, a computational neuroscientist and author, dives into her book, Models of the Mind, exploring the fusion of physics and neuroscience. She discusses the evolution of AI, the significance of mathematical models, and the philosophical impact of McCulloch and Pitts’ work. Grace highlights the importance of rediscovering old mathematical frameworks like graph theory for modern neuroscience. The conversation also touches on grand unified theories of the brain and the challenges of defining the neural code, blending history with cutting-edge science in a captivating manner.
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Math Forces Clear Hypotheses
- Mathematical models force researchers to be explicit about assumptions and mechanisms.
- Models make hypotheses testable and reveal missing data or interactions researchers overlooked.
Beware What Models Leave Out
- Condensing biology into equations requires throwing away many details to make progress.
- Those omissions can become entrenched and mislead future research if not revisited.
Math Is Applied When Useful, Not 'Hidden'
- Old math often becomes useful only when data and conceptual frameworks are ready.
- Importing tools from physics or topology reflects researchers' perspectives, not a single 'correct' equation.
