
Minds and Machines - A Conversation with Miguel Nicolelis
By Howard BurtonLength1h 53m
About this audiobook
This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and Miguel Nicolelis, Professor of Neurobiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology and Neuroscience and Orthopaedic Surgery and Co-Director of the Center for Neuroengineering at Duke University. This thought-provoking conversation dives into Miguel Nicolelis’ extensive and important research for over 20 years now and how he has been blurring the line between science fiction and science fact, developing increasingly sophisticated ways of harnessing the thoughts of rats, monkeys and humans to drive mechanical devices in the rapidly emerging field of brain-machine interfaces. As he continues to explore how best to apply this fascinating technology to liberate paralysis victims and Parkinson’s sufferers from their neurological constraints, Nicolelis remains focused on challenging conventional wisdom of what the brain is and how it works, consistently probing the evolving frontier between body and mind.
This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, From Science Fiction to Science Fact, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:
I. Revolutionary Rumblings - Beyond 1:1 maps
II. Plowing Ahead - Pivotal results and scientific scepticism
III. Interface - Powering robots with monkey minds
IV. Against Reductionism - The pernicious influence of physicists
V. Incarnating Our Surroundings - How the brain blurs “outside” and “inside”
VI. Imposing Representations - How the brain interacts with the world
VII. Distributed vs. Local - The big issue
VIII. Technological Applications - From medical rehabilitation to a joint operating system
IX. Getting Metaphysical - The brain as a reality-mediator
X. Final Questions - Big ones, dark ones and ontological ones
About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series:
Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.
Audiobook details
GenreHealth and Wellness, Psychology, Technology
Length1 hr 53 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Contents
14Questions for Discussion:
2A Note on the Text
15VI. Imposing Representations
3Introduction
16Questions for Discussion:
4The Conversation
17VII. Distributed vs. Local
5I. Revolutionary Rumblings
18Questions for Discussion:
Show all chaptersShow less
6Questions for Discussion:
19VIII. Technological Applications
7II. Plowing Ahead
20Questions for Discussion:
8Questions for Discussion:
21IX. Getting Metaphysical
9III. Interface
22Questions for Discussion:
10Questions for Discussion:
23X. Final Questions
11IV. Against Reductionism
24Questions for Discussion:
12Questions for Discussion:
25Continuing the Conversation
13V. Incarnating Our Surroundings
