Swindon Science Cafe

16/09/24

We'll be taking a break in the New Year, and in February when you can get your fill of amazing talks and panels at the Festival of Tomorrow. The Science Cafe, itself, will be back in March - watch out for updates.

Have you ever wondered how your everyday choices help combat climate change? Or why soil health is vital for the future of our planet? Perhaps you’re interested in the rush for cobalt – an essential element in batteries for electric vehicles and consumer electronics – and its cost to both the environment and human lives. If these questions spark your curiosity, then the Swindon Science Café is the perfect place for you!

Held on the first Tuesday of every month at the iCAST Creative Hub, this informal series brings science to life with fascinating talks and lively discussions in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. There are no long lectures – just an engaging, two-way conversation between researchers and an audience of curious minds.

The Brain vs the Computer. Image source: http://oredigger.net/

Join us for an informal evening of discovery and discussion, with theoretical neuroscientist and science writer, Neil Howard.

It is common for people to talk about the brain as if it were a computer: resetting, rewiring, rebooting and reprogramming the brain and such like.

However, researchers can now grow 'Synthetic Biological Intelligence' on a dish, connect it up to a virtual world, and it will just proceed to learn about and interact with that virtual world in an intelligent way. Noone did anything like programming it for it to behave that way. What is that 'bunch of neurons' (as Francis Crick put it) on a dish actually doing?

This talk will try to answer that by presenting a theoretical framework of the brain that is very different from any computer analogy.

Book here

The Festival of Tomorrow - Swindon Science Cafe

Neil has bachelor and PhD degrees from York University and over 30 years experience designing and leading teams developing Application-Specific Integrated Circuits, spanning a wide range of applications from satellite-borne GPS to commercial robotics, from Linux Systems-on-chip to tiny AI sensors and neural implants.

He has given many talks to the Swindon Philosophical Society over the last 15 years, many being related to the brain. Neil is currently writing a popular science book on theoretical neuroscience and AI.

A follow-up talk 'Neurophilosophy' will be given to the Swindon Philosophical Society on Wednesday 11 March about some of the philosophical implications of the neuroscience discussed tonight, including free will and consciousness.

Book here

Everyone is welcome

Come and express your views or just enjoy a drink and listen. No scientific knowledge is needed to take part - just bring your curiosity, and maybe your own bottle of choice.

A selection of light refreshments will be available in return for a donation on the night, or you are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks with you.

WHEN: The first Tuesday of each month, from 7pm - 9pm.

The screening will start around 7.15pm, followed by questions and discussion.

WHERE: Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) Creative Hub located in the iconic Carriage Works. 10 Carriage Works, Unit 7B, London Street, Swindon, SN1 5FB

Enter the following three words into the What Three Words app to find the exact location:

Front entrance: ///friday.index.solo

Rear entrance: ///cups.shell.face