LATEST DIALOGUES A Semantic Map of the Brain

by Science and Nonduality
in Cognitive Sciences, Dialogues, Neuroscience, Videos
0 Comments

Scientists at UC Berkeley have placed volunteers in an fMRI scanner and monitored blood flow in their brain activity for two hours, while having them listen to stories. The result: they were able to map which areas respond to different words. They found that activity isn’t just limited to the regions typically associated with language, and that one word typically activates more than one area. They were able to group words in rough categories and determine, for instance, the area associated with numbers and measurements, or buildings and places, or clothing and appearance, family, home. Although each volunteer’s map turned out to be slightly different, it seems that different people have similar concepts in similar locations. This is the first time we’ve been able to map the semantic systems of the brain in such detail, discovering that words are grouped by meaning, and revealing just how complicated, and widespread, the word maps in our heads really are.

You can explore the map for yourself here

Related Dialogues

Where Does Pain Exist in the Mind?

AMA

Technology in Dating and Sexuality: Justin Garcia

Self-Control is a Useful Illusion: Chris Fields

Please select the social network you want to share this page with:

We like you too :)

Science and Nonduality provides a forum where preeminent scientists, philosophers, teachers, artists and a large, international community gather to explore and advance the new paradigm emerging in spirituality, that is both grounded in cutting-edge science and consistent with the ancient wisdom of nonduality — the deep understanding of the interconnectedness of life.

RELATED DIALOGUES

How the Brain Continually Changes and Reorganizes Itself

by Gary Weber
1 Comments

Until the 1970s, it was strongly believed in the emerging neuroscientific community that there were two certainties: 1) the brain and its neurons were fixed and could not be modified, and 2) it was impossible for…

Consciousness Expanded by Psilocybin

by Science and Nonduality
1 Comments

Psychedelic drugs alter consciousness in a profound and novel way that increases the breadth and fluency of cognition. However, until recently, scientists were unable to offer an explanation for how the brain was altered to account for…

Dialogue Categories

Dialogue Archives

SAND is a wonderful place for you to offer their thoughts and ideas to others and to get feedback to help you further hone and articulate what you are trying to bring forward into the world. It is a place where ideas can be exchanged and a place where the cross pollination between science and spirit offers new perspectives to those working in both areas. It is also a place of learning and growing - a place where you can think about things you never thought about before. – Isa
As a first-time speaker and participant at SAND, I had no idea of the extent that its wonder-full experience would enfold me in its magic of profound insights, mind- and heart-expanding encounters and synchronous aha moments of pure joy. Being invited to share my perspectives of the wholeworld-view of the cosmic hologram, in my speaking of the need and opportunity for us to understand, experience and embody unity awareness, I was immersed in our collective quest and co-creative participation as a spiralling dance of all three. My whole-hearted gratitude to Maurizio, Zaya and their amazing team at SAND for all they are and do! – Dr Jude Currivan
It feels like the "soul" of SAND is descending into the "body" of the world. It was an immense privilege to facilitate. And, I'm more and more in love with the community all the time. I look forward to more. – Samantha
From the beginning — with Maurizio and Zaya’s heart-opening presence on stage (and off!) both individually and in relationship, the scene was set for a great pool of love to emerge — which I have felt rippling out into an ocean encompassing the planet and beyond. – Vivienne
I was impressed with the well organized flow of such a large conference. It was a friendly congenial group of attendees and the venue was gorgeous! Please offer my thanks and appreciation to the team for hosting a spectacular event! My neurons were smoking by the end of 5 days! – Jane
SAND is a gathering like no other where leaders in science, spirituality and healing can come together, learn from and support each other. Presenters and participants alike connect with open hearts and expanded minds. I always feel inspired and energized at SAND! – Sonya Amrita Bibilos
The SAND Conference was a mind blowing experience. I am still talking about it months later. – conference attendee SAND12
Thank you again for such a beautiful, awesome experience - such a beautiful communion of Being(s)! – conference attendee SAND12
I had never heard of SAND nor Nonduality before and I was pleasantly surprised and amazed. I'm totally hooked now :-). I love the love and energy that is flowing so abundantly! – conference attendee SAND12
I found the SAND experience wonderful, powerful, immensely positive, intense, and at times overwhelming. What struck me about SAND13 was an overwhelming sense of awe at the beauty of other humans: the organizers, the presenters, the performers, and the attendees. Never before have I been in the presence of so many people who are functioning at the very peak of the human experience. – conference attendee SAND13
In trying to describe the entire SAND experience to a friend, she responded: "It sounds as if you have swallowed a sunbeam and now have to digest it." How true! I'm still digesting. – conference attendee SAND13
The entire conference was absolutely wonderful, and the variety of speakers phenomenal. – conference attendee SAND13
I very much liked the heart connectivity of the cutting edge speakers, conference participants, and staff. It was a meeting of minds and new and older ideas were explored in new ways. – conference attendee SAND13
Outstanding! Marvelous! Fun! Stimulating! It does feel like a family! Merci! – conference attendee SAND13
Wow, volunteering at SAND was one of THE coolest experiences I've ever had. Got to play with so many amazing people, teachers and authors who've made a huge impact on my journey. And for once, I got to be surrounded by hundreds of others also walking this pathless path. After years of exploring non-duality on my own, it was really awesome to realize I'm not the only crazy one :) – conference volunteer SAND14
SAND14 was extraordinary! I was not kidding when I said best ever… It gets more wonderful every year, it's like the Richter scale of awareness… Expanding by factors of 10! My development is inextricably entangled with SAND! Thank you... – conference attendee SAND14
SAND blew me away. This was my first time, and the passion of everyone was very inspiring. I absolutely loved the diversity of experience at the conference. By far the best conference I have ever attended! – conference attendee SAND14