Sunday Assembly Sacramento: October Meeting & Potluck

How the Brain Makes New Ideas Out of Old Parts
Speaker: David C. Noelle, Ph.D.

Abstract: The field of computational cognitive neuroscience develops theories of how the physical properties of the brain give rise to the cognitive properties of the mind. In this brief presentation, an introduction will be given to a computational brain model that explains how the brain’s prefrontal cortex can represent and focus upon profoundly novel ideas, overcoming the biases of past experience. Entertaining new ideas is key to creativity, as well as our ability to expand our understanding of the world. Come and learn how evolved brain systems support these critical capabilities.

Bio: Dr. David Noelle is Associate Professor of Cognitive Science at the University of California Merced. He is a theoretical neuroscientist, with a research focus on the role of the prefrontal cortex, and associated brain areas, in learning, memory, and cognitive control.

Our Doing Your Best this month is Mynga Futrell, Ph.D.

Special Note: If you would like to bring your Community Yard Sale items to this meeting, Nancy C. will them collect them for you.

Sunday Assembly is held in the Reason Center at 1300 Ethan Way, Suite 675 toward the back of the building. As always, families are welcome and child care is provided. The doors open at 10:30 am and the program will begin at 11:00 am.

We will have a speaker, a short Doing Your Best presentation, some music, and a potluck. Please bring a dish to share unless you are a newcomer. Donuts and coffee are provided. Hope to see you there!