Difference between revisions of "RealTimeClub:Brain Mind Forum"

Latest revision as of 14:00, 6 December 2011

The Brain Mind Forum is a discussion and research group hoping to, if not answer these, at least pose the questions. Hence, the 21 Questions Project.

The Real Time Club is sponsoring the Brain Mind Forum, which was launched at a luncheon on 12th May 2010. Inspired by Hilbert’s “Questions for Mathematicians” a century ago, the aim of the Brain Mind Forum is to compile "21 key Questions cognitive neuroscience needs to address in the 21st Century".

The guest speaker at the launch, entitled “Thinking About Thinking”, was Professor John Stein (of Physiology at Oxford University), who addressed 'lunchers' on his work on neurophysiology and cognition (including movement control, dyslexia and antisocial behaviour), including computing-related issues, which was followed by discussion and debate. (Unfortunately, John's brother, noted chef Rick Stein, was not available to cook for us.) In addition, there were brief presentations by Charles Ross (founding member of the RTC and convenor of the Brain, Mind & Computing Caucus) on plans for the Forum and the 21 Questions Project, and by RTC Vice Chairman Maury Shenk on plans for the future of the RTC.

If you would be interested in participating in these debates and in learning more about how our brains do what they do, please join us at http://www.brainmindforum.co.uk/ or via the tab on the RTC website frontpage, where you can join our mailing list and be included in future discussions on this extraordinarily fascinating subject.

[edit] PRESS RELEASE: Launch of new cognitive neuroscience initiative

Date: 13 May 2010

[edit] “21 questions cognitive neuroscience needs to address in the 21st century”

The BrainMindForum, in conjunction with the Mind, Brain and Computing Caucus of the Real Time Club, launched its latest initiative, “21 key questions cognitive neuroscience needs to address in the 21st century” with a luncheon meeting at the National Liberal Club on Wednesday, 12th May. The project has been modelled on David Hilbert’s list of 23 unsolved problems in mathematics, posed in 1900, which provided a focus for mathematical endeavour for the early decades of the last century, and led to the invention of computers.

By introducing the new ‘21 questions’, project leader Charles Ross, co-author of Biological Systems of the Brain and chairman of the Brain Mind Forum, hopes to make use of the Real Time Club Member’s long experience of understanding complex systems to stimulate widespread thinking and debate to solve many of the outstanding puzzles about how the brain works and how we can use that knowledge to improve our quality of life.

Attendees at the project launch heard John Stein, Professor of Physiology at Oxford University, talk about his work on neurophysiology and cognition, following which there was a lively debate about movement control, dyslexia, antisocial behaviour and computing-related issues.

The BrainMindForum brainmindforum.co.uk was set up to provide a cross disciplinary platform for ideas, information, research and publications about the brain, in order to stimulate the creation of new ideas and promote further research into unlocking the secrets of the most important organ in our bodies. The Real Time Club realtimeclub.org is believed to be the oldest IT dining club in the world, and has had considerable influence over the years on the development of the computing industry and the use of computing in Britain. Recognising that modern digital computing techniques will be crucial to research on the linkages of neurophysiology and cognition, the Real Time Club has established the Brain, Mind and Computing Forum to focus on driving awareness and research in this important area.

For more information, please contact Charles.Ross@BrainMindForum.co.uk