Watch Hod Lipson talk about “Adaptive and Self-Reflective Systems”. Hod Lipson demonstrates several experiments in self reflecting robotic systems and argues that reflective processes are essential in achieving meta-cognitive capacities.
While we are wondering if machines can think about themselves, why not watch Michael Anissimov who tells us not to fear the Singularity - and why not.
(via vimeo.com)
You can address your iPhone like Captain Kirk the Enterprise’s computer (see Your personal assistant Siri). How about letting your computer summarize (verbally) in almost real time what has been said in a business meeting (especially, when you were boosting your brain power with a kip at your desk)?
Read about the system Catchup (newscientist.com) which is able to identify the important words and edit out the unimportant ones and about how a midday nap markedly boosts the brain’s learning capacity (theregister.co.uk).
After the universal translator how about addressing your iPhone like Captain Kirk the Enterprise’s computer?
With the new application, Siri, you can literally have a conversation with your Apple iPhone. Expect “Better wear a warm winter coat today” when asking for the weather report.
The tech behind this app came out of a project from the Stanford Research Institute as part of a government funded artificial intelligence project called CALO, or Cognitive Agent that Learns and Organizes. Over time, the app will learn about what a user likes and the searches will get better and better.
(via wired.com)
Remember the science fiction Star Trek and how human beings could communicate with each other and also with aliens? They had a so called universal translator.
Now Google is working on an automatic system for translating languages which will be based upon the existing translate.google.com and the voice recognition system goog-411. And, with each use, translation software is likely to become smarter.
(via timesonline.co.uk)
Surf the web. Stay physically active. Eat healthily. And leave time in the day to day dream.
According to a series of studies, it is important to keep the body as fit as the mind and to sleep enough. The results of a new study suggests that chronic insomnia may be another condition associated with reduced cortical volume. Eat a healthy diet and take magnesium supplement which boosts brainpower - that is if you are a mouse. Last but not least, take breaks. Research shows that memories are strengthened during periods of rest while we are awake, not just during sleep.
Scientist have discovered how the brain codes and represents nouns. They have found, that the brain uses three basic categories to think about common nouns: Can I hold it, can I get inside it and can I eat it?
For their study, the scientists showed people 60 words and analyzed the brain’s activation patterns with a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine. Really intriguing is the inverse process: To find out, which of the 60 words the subject was thinking of, by analyzing the brain’s activation patterns.
You can find the study in the journal PloS One or read the article in prnewswire.com
Remember the quantum mind hypothesis? Now scientist have found that unique patterns of electrical signals spread to neurons in different areas of the brain. These patterns of activity started in one set of neurons, only to be mimicked by others milliseconds later. The brains own “quantum entanglement” could explain memories.
(via Newscientist)
Researchers are working on a project to adapt brain processes to “wet computing” by setting up chemicals in a tube which behave like the transistors in a computer chip. The “wet computer” will literally simulate neurons and signal processing on the chemical level.
(via bbc.co.uk)
Neuro-feedback, – also known as EEG biofeedback – is an approach used to train brain activity. Neuro-feedback can literally change the way our brains work even acquire peak performances.
In neuro-feedback, therapists attach electrodes to a patient’s scalp. Through these electrodes, a device measures electrical impulses in the brain, amplifies them and then records them. These impulses are divided into different types of brain waves. So, in order to concentrate on a task, parts of the brain must produce more high-frequency beta waves. To relax, the brain must produce more low-frequency theta waves. For example, the patient is rewarded when he or she makes more of the theta waves.
According to a study conducted in Germany in 2009 it could be concluded that Neurofeedback can indeed be considered an Evidence-Based treatment for ADHD.
You can read about the benefits of neuro-feedback:
What is Neurofeedback? (eeginfo.com)
NEUROTHERAPY: Give grey matter some sparkle (businessday.co.za)
Study may show whether neurofeedback helps people with ADHD and other disorders (washingtonpost.com)
Alpha EEG Feedback: Closer Parallel with Zen than with Yoga by James V. Hardt, Biocybernaut Institute
