Computer Graphics & Animation

Biography

Biography: Jeffery Jonathan Joshua Davis (Joshua)

Abstract

This presentation is inspired by the work of Walter J. Freeman on brain field dynamics and its implications in the understanding of cognitive functions, intentional action and decision-making. The main purpose is to present a novel way of applying the art of encephalography. We have moved from the mere plotting of brain signals in the time domain to spatio-temporal frames that produce a brain dynamics movie with power to give us different visual patterns of behavior in various conditions based on experimental data produced by different stimuli. The methodology of brain movie making is briefly described to explain how large quantities of brain data images are processed to produce the movies which are then displayed in order to visually discriminate between different cognitive states, as well as the different stages of cognitive processes related to the cycle of creation of knowledge and meaning so vital for decision-making. It is proposed that careful observation of each of these movies will facilitate a learning process, in order to: (a) identify different structures and visual patterns where large-scale synchronizations and desynchronizations are observed together with the temporal evolution of the different stages of the hypothesized cycle of creation of knowledge and meaning and (b) facilitate the study of brain dynamics across different frequency bands with the aid of different indices like the Pragmatic Information index which is based on the instantaneous phase and the analytic amplitude. To summarize, the art of encephalography enhanced by brain dynamics movies allows us to identify brain patterns and events associated with different measurements across bands and the different stages of the cycle of creation of knowledge and meaning.

This work was accomplished by the research team at The Embassy of Peace in Whitianga, New Zealand, in close collaboration with Walter J. Freeman and Robert Kozma.