In this engaging discussion, Woodrow Shew, a professor at the University of Arkansas, and Keith Hengen, an associate professor at Washington University, dive into the fascinating world of brain criticality. They explore how criticality influences brain function, learning, and adaptability, shedding light on its potential as a homeostatic goal for neural activity. The duo also discusses their collaborative research, challenges of measuring brain activity, and intriguing connections between brain dynamics and behaviors in both humans and simple organisms like E. coli.