The Real Time Club, the world’s oldest IT Dining Club, is one of the Z/Yen family of enterprises leading many of the most interesting 21st century activities.
Some years ago the Real Time Club started a number of projects with the Royal Institution. Brains invented computers. Could our experience of analysing systems and designing hardware and software help in understanding the brain? Huge strides have been made in our knowledge of the components and electrochemical activity of the brain – the hardware, but remarkably little is known about how these translate into how we actually learn and remember, how we think and are creative; and particularly what happens when we pass between sleep and being conscious – the software.
The Real Time Club has set up ‘The Brain, Mind and Computing Caucus’ to sponsor the launch of the Brain Mind Forum at a luncheon on 12th May 2010. Inspired by Hilbert’s “Questions for Mathematicians” a century ago, the aim of the Brain Mind Forum is to compile “21 key questions cognitive neuroscience needs to address in the 21st Century”. The lunch will take place at the National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HE from 12:00 to 14:00, and everyone interested in this fascinating subject is welcome. Please go to Real Time Club to book. There you will also find information on the Real Time Club. Download the book With all due respect from the end of the ‘history’ page of the website. Pages 68-77 outline some of the origins of the Brain Mind Forum. Please also register – it is free.
The guest speaker at the launch will be John Stein, Professor of Physiology at Oxford University, who will address ‘lunchers’ on his work on neurophysiology and cognition (including movement control, dyslexia and antisocial behaviour), and consider computing-related issues, in a talk entitled “Thinking About Thinking”. Discussion and debate will follow. (Unfortunately, John’s brother, noted chef Rick Stein, will not be cooking for us.) In addition, I will give a brief presentation, as convenor of the Brain, Mind and Computing Caucus of the RTC, on plans for the Forum and the 21 Questions Project. Book your place or register your interest and we will send you a copy of the ‘Action Plan’ we intend to adopt. RTC Vice Chairman Maury Shenk will outline RTC future plans.
