Theory of Psychoneuroenergetics

Number of concepts ~ k_n * Number of synaptic connections ~ k_e * Amount of energy expended

Error and Perfection

Perhaps one consistent aspect of the human condition is the innate struggle to achieve an idealized mental state. At each point in our consciousness, we have a goal, and we seek to meet that goal. The problem is that we always never meet those goals. There is always error, and we cannot stand it.

Our minds then try to reduce this error through adaptation. One method of adaptation is to change the goal so that it is closer to what we can achieve. This can be realized by having a modified goal, or a completely new goal. Interestingly, having a "no goal" state is in itself an idealized goal which can result in error when we seek to achieve it. Another adaptative method is to change the way we achieve the goal. We can re-analyze our previous behavior to reason which actions led to more or less error, and modify those behaviors accordingly.

Formal representations of this heuristics can easily be implemented. However, the question remains as to how the goals come to be about. Contribution from environmental and genetic forces can then be considered this level.

Final resolutions will either be that no error, or goal-relative perfection, is achieved, or else the ability to adapt is halted.

"What" Precedes "Which": Developmental Neural Tuning in Face- and Place-Related Cortex

"What" Precedes "Which": Developmental Neural Tuning in Face- and Place-Related Cortex: "

Although category-specific activation for faces in the ventral visual pathway appears adult-like in adolescence, recognition abilities for individual faces are still immature. We investigated how the ability to represent 'individual' faces and houses develops at the neural level. Category-selective regions of interest (ROIs) for faces in the fusiform gyrus (FG) and for places in the parahippocampal place area (PPA) were identified individually in children, adolescents, and adults. Then, using an functional magnetic resonance imaging adaptation paradigm, we measured category selectivity and individual-level adaptation for faces and houses in each ROI. Only adults exhibited both category selectivity and individual-level adaptation bilaterally for faces in the FG and for houses in the PPA. Adolescents showed category selectivity bilaterally for faces in the FG and houses in the PPA. Despite this profile of category selectivity, adolescents only exhibited individual-level adaptation for houses bilaterally in the PPA and for faces in the 'left' FG. Children only showed category-selective responses for houses in the PPA, and they failed to exhibit category-selective responses for faces in the FG and individual-level adaptation effects anywhere in the brain. These results indicate that category-level neural tuning develops prior to individual-level neural tuning and that face-related cortex is disproportionately slower in this developmental transition than is place-related cortex.

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How Merkel Decided to End Nuclear Power

How Merkel Decided to End Nuclear Power: "Angela Merkel, her allies say, is ready to lead Germany into an era in which wind and solar energy can replace nuclear plants. But she faces hurdles."

Data are traveling by light

Data are traveling by light: "Regular LEDs can be turned into optical WLAN with only a few additional components thanks to visible light communication (in short, VLC). The lights are then not just lighting up, they also transfer data. They send films in HD quality to your iPhone or laptop, with no loss in quality, quickly and safely."