FanFare

"There is a fundamental drive, instantiated by the brain, to minimize errors in our own sensory predictions." Andy Clark on how brains work, via predictive processing. [more inside]
posted by mittens on Nov 23, 2023 - 1 comment

Anil Seth positions consciousness as prediction: Rather than your mind passively receiving sensory information from outside, it is always predicting the world around it, trying to generate a plausible 'controlled hallucination' to keep you alive, always correcting the predictions (sometimes unsuccessfully) based on new information from the senses. Further, he extends this to the sense of self itself--the brain hallucinates a self as a method of internal monitoring through prediction. All along the way, he provides engaging examples from his research lab, and looks at some competing theories.
posted by mittens on Nov 16, 2023 - 10 comments

In Sentience, Nicholas Humphrey distills a lifetime of study of consciousness to give a picture of how he thinks it works to be sentient--that is, to be someone for whom a sensation can be personally meaningful. From monkeys with blindsight to gorillas with nothing to think about but each other, he ranges across the research to come to a conclusion he calls qualiaphilia...consciousness becomes important because it makes life worth living, makes possible empathy, and is apparently quite attractive to potential mates. Having given us a sense of what it means to have a sense of something, he goes on to ask: Who else? Are animals sentient as well? [more inside]
posted by mittens on Nov 12, 2023 - 3 comments

Kevin J. Mitchell explores how free will can exist by taking us through the beginning of life all the way through to humans making decisions. [more inside]
posted by mittens on Nov 9, 2023 - 1 comment

It's Blaine's show as he tries to protect himself. Liv is on matchmaker brain. Major must find a new supplier. Don E. considers an interesting offer. [more inside]
posted by numaner on Jun 13, 2019 - 5 comments

Liv is on pick up artist brain, while she comes up with plans for the Underground Railroad. Clive struggles with the arrangement he's made with Bozzio. Major is assigned an important task. [more inside]
posted by numaner on Apr 19, 2018 - 4 comments

Liv is on musical theater brain courtesy of a bus crash victim. Clive and SPD gets a sexual harassment seminar. Ravi makes a sacrifice for Peyton. Blaine gets a surprise. [more inside]
posted by numaner on Apr 11, 2018 - 7 comments

Liv is on hockey goon brain to find out why a human was murdered along with 3 zombies. Major is forced take a road trip with Don E. Peyton has to handle rising tensions in the city. [more inside]
posted by numaner on Mar 27, 2018 - 7 comments

Liv and Clive hunts down the serial killer coyote with Ravi's help. Blaine's on loose lips brain, hoping it leads to Renegade. Meanwhile, Major and his recruits hunts for that video. [more inside]
posted by numaner on Mar 20, 2018 - 4 comments

Liv uncovers the shocking truth about the virus and the far-reaching consequences of the vaccine. Majors exams his future as a human. Blaine makes a business proposal. [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule on Jun 29, 2017 - 14 comments

In a new twist, two immunity idols can be combined to form a super idol; one contestant finds a creative way to retrieve an idol while another struggles to find one.
posted by The Gooch on Mar 3, 2016 - 3 comments

Kieren's attempt to leave for France are dashed by Maxine's imposition of an Undead travel ban, and the formation of the PDS "Give Back" scheme. There's high school drama with Jem her young class-mates, an undead party (complete with mood-altering ... substances), and Jem reconnects with Gary.
posted by filthy light thief on Jun 26, 2014 - 1 comment