Week 7 Blog

Neuroscience and Art

Neuroscience and art combining makes for an interesting world because it gives us the opportunity to alter the natural consciousness of the human mind. In the past consciousness, “... the state or quality of awareness, or, of being aware of an external object or something within oneself” has not been considered something humans can control (Wikipedia). However, with advancements in technology, there is room for artist and researches alike to control consciousness. Professor Vesna believes that mind control is ultimately inevitable and would be beneficial because the human brain must work and to memorize the overwhelming amount of information sent to it (Vesna). Like any new discovering there are debates on what controlling consciousness would mean and the role it plays in a person’s life (Brogaard). Let’s look at neuroscience and art in action:

Brogaard

Ever wondered what brain patterns look like? In Christopher DeCharms’ TedTalk Flying into Brains you (the viewer) gets a chance to see how technology is working to allow people to see brain patterns. Seeing brain patterns is very important because it allows researchers to see what is and is not working in the brain. When this is seen it can hen be altered or controlled when needed. DeCharms spoke about using this technology to control chronic pain (DeCharms), so to say controlling the brain is out of reach would be false. Neuroscience is taking leaps and bounds to make huge advancements that could someday lead to controlling consciousness.

DeCharms

Schrödinger's cat shows consciousness control in action; the cat is both dead and alive at one time and when observed appears neither dead or alive ("Schrödinger's cat.") . The experiment, by Erwin Schrödinger, uses neuroscience to control the brain and creativity to think outside of what has already been done before. Something so complex is only possible because of the intersection of art and science and could possibly lead to a whole new take on consciousness in our lifetime.

Schrödinger's cat

References:

Brogaard, Berit. "What Is the Role of Consciousness?" Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, 12 Nov. 2014. Web. 20 May 2018.

"Consciousness." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 May 2017. Web. 20 May 2018.

DeCharms, Christopher. "A look inside the brain in real time." Christopher deCharms: A look inside the brain in real time | TED Talk | TED.com. N.p., Feb. 2008. Web. 20 May 2018.

Vesna, Victoria . "Neuroscience + Art ."  20 May. 2018. Lecture.

"Schrödinger's cat." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 May 2018. Web. 20 May 2018.