Dynamic Systems Theory: An Important Discussion in Cognition

• Speaker: Aalina Bilal, University of Toronto
• Abstract: This paper discussed whether dynamic systems, as a mathematical theory, and dynamicism, as a theoretical framework, are both necessary and sufficient in an accurate model for understanding cognition. The importance of time and environment are central in its integration with cognitive science and brain behaviour modelling. However, with parts of the theory mirroring what we see functionally in cognition, there are some theoretical and practical limitations to the theory. Our findings include that a) theoretically, dynamic systems can model neuron function, salience mapping and receptive fields well b) dynamic systems alone run into problems of sigmoid activation c) coupling dynamic systems with other theories provide more impressive results and d) the theory itself lacks internal represent-tation of goals and long term memory. All of these findings are important for furthering our understanding about what part of dynamic systems should remain active in the field of cognitive science and where issues arise often enough to force us into oversimplifying our theories and losing that important information.

TMS for Resilience and Enhanced Cognitive Reserve

• Speaker: Sam Leven, TPI, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Abstract: Our goal is optimizing resilient, cognitive processes; we employ accepted therapy in a novel approach. Our immediate target population: elite athletes. Our protocol involves a leading college football program. Our methods should be applicable to precision medicine generally. We adopt the hypothesis that brain stimulation can not only provide well understood affective, motor control, and cognitive benefits but also enhance resilience to brain injuries -- preventing substantial damage by concussion which recently has been shown to increase susceptibility both to CTE and even more tragically to Alzheimer’s disorder. Our approach involves the leading non-invasive brain stimulation [NIBS] technology, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation [TMS]. TMS, a thirty year old therapy, employs directed magnetic fields to key areas whose processing is slow or inefficient. It has been employed to treat Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, PTSD, and Schizophrenia, et al. Additionally, motor dyscontrol has been mitigated. New applications have included Alzheimer's and dementias [Pascual-Leone, 2023]. Evidence has proved that TMS provides remarkable benefits for attention, recall, and openness to new ideas [including counseling]. For competitive players, the instantaneous pattern recognition and disinhibited attention suggest advantages at the core of football. An offensive lineman who is milliseconds quicker to recognize the quarterback's snap count and the defensive line's attack has enormous advantages; these expand as the players tire and are slow to attend. Further benefits obtain from the increase in cognitive reserve engendered by increased interregional connectivity. The resilience developed tends to minimize the effects of moderate brain trauma ' and should speed recovery. We propose to test our approach in the coming year. Joint work with Nate Shanok, Florida Atlantic University.

A Retrocausal Attractor in the brain modelling the self-organization of the brain/ego: Self system, building the dynamics of intention and selfawareness

• Speaker: Chris Hardy, Eco-Mind Systems Science, Tarn et Garonne, France
• Abstract: Extending a complex network-dynamical theory (SFT) postulating mind as a syg-field -- multilevel, multidimensional, system of task-oriented semantic/syg-constellations -- self-organizing via a tachyonic, hyper-dimensional, syg-energy (Hardy 1998, 2015). Given (1) the experimentally proven nonlocal (beyond-spacetime) dynamics of several psi capacities (i.e., precognition); (2) Pauli, Jung, and SFT positing the unconscious (and Self) to be transspatial/temporal (i.e., hyperdimensional, HD) and extended over space-time (e.g., synchronicities); (3) the faster-thanlightspeed syg-energy, launching semantic links along sygparameters (control parameter: semantic proximity): the mind-brain interface is ex-pounded as a HD RetrocausalAttractor (RC-A) setting a feedback loop that self-organizes the Mind-Body-Psyche system through a double-correction process built-in the mind (at sub-quantum HD scale)--alike feedback self-organizing neural networks. A separate statespace plotting shows proactive influences (mental, material) on an event-in-making-constellation (F) as changing weights of probability lines in-forming several and pointing one specific outcome/attractor. The RC-A models intention and decision as the semantic-dynamical interplay of proactive influences on F, and retroactive ones on the operator. My current research into modelling the RC-A uses Bo-Wen Shen (2022) higher-dimensional Lorenz Model where there coexists a chaotic and two point-attractors (Past, Future). Chaotic orbits (outer region) show the conscious-flow (+unconscious/contextual input) in-forming an extended present (the saddle), influenced by past memories/behaviors (P) and the feedback loop from the intended or anticipated event in making a constellation (F). Complexified, the RC-A accounts for thought-complexification, negentropy, selfawareness and control, and ethical conscience: a second, orthogonal, Lorenz Model--with the two centers of consciousness (hyperdimensional Self+syg-energy, and ego in space-time) being its point-attractors--sets an ego-Self double-correction dynamics, and moreover exemplifies the spacetime-HD interlacing and inter-influence.