Now You See It: How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Learn. By Cathy N. Davidson . New York, N.Y.: Viking, 2011. vii + 342 pages. ISBN 978-0-670-02282-3. $27.95.

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-94
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Brackett
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Brain Science ◽  
The Brain ◽  
The Way

Machines Paying Attention

2011 ◽  
pp. 65-82
Author(s):  
John G. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Complex Networks ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Brain Science ◽  
Engineering Control ◽  
Control Framework ◽  
The Brain ◽  
The Way

Attention is analyzed as the superior control system in the brain from an engineering point of view, with support for this from the way attention is presently being understood by brain science. Such an engineering- control framework allows an understanding of how the complex networks observed in the brain during various cognitive tasks can begin to be functionally decomposed. A machine version of such an attention control system is then discussed and extended to allow for goals and their reward values also to be encoded in the attention machine. The manner in which emotion may then begin to be imbued in the machine is briefly discussed and how even some glimpse of consciousness may then arise.

Shaping the Brain: Science or Politics?

PsycCRITIQUES ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Brain Science ◽  
The Brain

8. Retrospect of Mental Philosophy (Periodical Literature.)

1880 ◽  
Vol 26 (113) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
B. F. C. Costelloe
Keyword(s):  
Periodical Literature ◽  
Main Interest ◽  
Intended Meaning ◽  
Border Line ◽  
Emotional Language ◽  
Ordinary Power ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Brain ◽  
The Way

The first number for the year is not remarkable for any paper of striking value. Readers of the Journal will be chiefly attracted by the long and clearly written resumé of Dr. Hughlings Jackson's recent studies “On Affections of Speech from Disease of the Brain,” which is contributed by Mr. James Sully. He remarks on the great value of Dr. Jackson's attempts to classify the different forms of aphasia under the three main heads or stages of—(1) Defect of Speech, in which the patient has a full vocabulary, but confuses words; (2) Loss of Speech, in which the patient is practically speechless, and his pantomimic power is impaired as well; and (3) Loss of Language, in which, besides being speechless, he has altogether lost the power of pantomime, and even his faculty of emotional language is deeply involved in the wreck. All these states or stages again are, properly speaking, to be distinguished altogether from affections of speech in the way of loss of articulation (owing to paralysis of the tongue, &c.), or loss of vocalisation (owing to disease of the larynx); whereas the three degrees or stages of aphasia proper are due to a deep-seated and severe disorganisation of the brain. The main interest of the theory lies in the ingenious and carefully-argued analysis of the symptoms, by which Dr. Jackson arrives at the theory that as the process of destruction goes on, the superior “layers” or strata of speech fail first—those namely which involve the ordinary power of adapting sounds to the circumstances of the moment as they arise; after them fail the “more highly organized utterances” those, namely, which have in any way become automatic, such as “come on,” “wo! wo!” and even “yes” and “no,” which stand on the border-line between emotional and intellectual language; next fails the power of adapting other than vocal signs to convey an intended meaning, which is called, rather clumsily, “pantomimic propositionising;” and last of all dies out the power of uttering sounds or making signs expressive merely of emotion—a power which, of course, is not true speech at all.

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