Wednesday, February 24, 2010

FINAL PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT 2010 Toward a Science of Consciousness Conference (Tucson, AZ, April 12-17)

I'll be there as much as possible, juggling work and school. Can't miss Antonio Damasio!

Toward a Science of Consciousness 2010


April 12-17, 2010

Tucson Convention Center and Hotel Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Sponsored by the Center for Consciousness Studies, The University of Arizona

www.consciousness.arizona.edu

The program for the ninth biennial interdisciplinary conference ‘Toward a Science of Consciousness 2010’ is complete. Held in even-numbered years since 1994, the Tucson conferences are the major world gatherings on a broad spectrum of approaches to the fundamental question of how the brain produces conscious experience, a question which addresses who we are, the nature of reality and our place in the universe. An estimated 700 scientists, philosophers, psychologists, experientialists, artists and others from 43 countries on 6 continents will participate in 400 presentations included in 17 Pre-Conference Workshops, 12 Plenary or Keynote sessions, 21 Concurrent Talk sessions, 2 Poster Sessions, 3 Art-Tech interactive sessions and special evening performances. Abstracts for all presentations will be posted at www.consciousness.arizona.edu

Plenary Program Overview

Highlights of the 2010 Plenary Program will include Keynote speaker Antonio Damasio, the esteemed neurologist and best-selling author on how the Self arises from layers of processes from brainstem to cortex. Other Keynotes include psychiatrist/neuroscientist Karl Deisseroth on new technologies revealing brain circuits of the conscious mind, and Robert J. Sawyer, award-winning science fiction writer whose works (Flashforward, Mindscan, Hominids etc) feature various science-based aspects of consciousness.

Twin Keynotes by two prominent neuroscientists will present opposing views of an essential question arising from functional brain imaging: how does brain activity measured in the absence of sensory inputs relate to consciousness? Marcus Raichle describes this brain Dark Energy (see his cover piece in the March 2010 Scientific American) as default networks mediating thinking and daydreaming, toggling back-and-forth with stimulus-related processing and tasks. Robert G. Shulman contends that the underlying activity is a foundational substrate for all conscious processes which require critical levels of brain energy. A related Plenary Session is Mindwandering, conscious activity independent of sensory stimuli (Jonathan Schooler, Malia Mason, Jonathan Smallwood).

In Bodily Consciousness, Henrik Ehrsson will discuss and extend his well-known work on inducing out-of-body experiences in normal subjects, while Frederique de Vignemont will distinguish different forms of conscious body awareness. Multi-Modal Experience will include synesthate and author Patricia Lynne Duffy describing her personal experience with fused and cross-wired senses, as well as how synesthesia affects and enables artists, writers, performers and scientists. Other speakers (Barry Stein, Casey O’Callaghan, Michael Proulx) will address the neuroscience and philosophical analysis of synesthesia, and how clinically-induced cross-modal perception can help blindness and other sensory defects.

Consciousness and Transformation will review long-term changes induced by meditation (Cassie Vieten), and analyze claims of enlightenment, mystical and transcendental experience (Jeffrey Martin). The session concludes with Za Rinpoche, a Tibetan Lama recognized in 1984 by the Dalai Lama as the sixth reincarnation of Zachoeje Lama. Author of Backdoor to Enlightenment, Za Rinpoche will discuss Buddhist perspectives on consciousness, enlightenment and reincarnation.

Machine Consciousness will feature IBM researcher Dharmendra Modha on efforts to simulate the brain through neuron-by-neuron reconstruction, and philosopher David Chalmers discussing prospects for a technological Singularity, the idea that human-level artificial intelligence (AI) will rapidly spiral to superintelligence. AI researcher Ben Goertzel wi! ll descr ibe mobile bubbles of executive function moving through computer architectures.

Theories of Consciousness features Sid Kouider summarizing and critiquing prevalent neurocognitive theories, and Marc Ebner with simulations of consciousness as a mobile zone of synchrony moving through the brain. Philosopher Galen Strawson will address philosophical theories of consciousness, focusing especially on panpsychism.

New Directions in Neural Correlates of Consciousness (NCC) Research is a panel of fresh ideas from young researchers. In the context of default networks, Michal Gruberger will discuss the use of deep trans-cranial magnetic stimulation inhibiting prefrontal cortex in human subjects, with alterations in measures related to the sense of self. Philosophers Adrienne Prettyman and Stephen Biggs will analyze the claim that default networks represent the baseline state of the brain. Moran Cerf will report on recordings from single neurons in conscious human subjects, showing how activity in medial temporal lobe can regulate sensory entry into conscious awareness. Finally, Anirban Bhandyophadyay will discuss molecular ‘nanobrains’, and new experimental results suggesting microtubules are the missing fourth circuit element.

The William James Centennial session will open the Plenary Program as a tribute to the father of American psychology and philosophy who died in 1910. Eugene Taylor will discuss James in the context of modern approaches, Bernard Baars will describe how James’ disillusionment led to behaviorism which banished consciousness from science for seven decades. Bruce Mangan concludes with what James termed the fringe, cognitive information just outside consciousness which, Mangan argues, illuminates insight and mystical experience.

For further information, see www.consciousness.arizona.edu

Day-by-day full program follows below.

Subject to change

Registration must be completed by March 1 for inclusion in the program

Pre-conference workshops! will be held in 3 half day sessions Monday morning and afternoon April 12, and Tuesday morning April 13. (The conference Plenary Program begins Tuesday afternoon April 13.) Workshops are each focused on particular areas, and presented by well known, and lesser known, authorities from the world over.

Pre-Conference Workshops

Monday, April 12, 2010

9 am to 1 pm, Tucson Convention Center (TCC) and Hotel Arizona (HA) rooms TBA

Pre-Conference Workshop Session 1

1) Selective Attention, Christof Koch

2) Lucid Dreaming, Stephen LaBerge

3) Inner Experience, Russell Hurlburt, Eric Schwitzgebel

4) Biofeedback and Mindfulness, Keya Maitra, Connie Schrader

5a) Transforming consciousness, Stanley Krippner, Frank Echenhofer et al, Part 1

6a) Psychedelics in the mainstream, Thomas Roberts, James Fadiman, Part 1

2 pm to 6 pm, TCC and HA rooms TBA

Pre-conference Workshop Session 2

7) Jaynes, voices and visions, Brian McVeigh, Marcel Kuijsten

8) Neuroimaging of meditation, David Hubbard, Alarik Arenander

9) Neural basis of repression and dissociation, Heather Berlin, Michael Anderson

10) Yoga Asanas, Siegried Bleher

11a) Microtubules and quantum biology, Stuart Hameroff, Jack Tuszynski et al, Part 1

5b) Transforming consciousness, Stanley Krippner, Frank Echenhofer et al, Part 2

6b) Psychedelics in mainstream, Thomas Roberts, James Fadiman, Part 2

12a) A Victorian’s guide to consciousness, Pim van Lommel, Allan Combs et al, Part 1

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

9 am to 1 pm, TCC and HA rooms TBA

Pre-Conference Workshop Session 3

13) Global broadcasting in brain, Bernard Baars, Katherine McGovern

14) Why synesthesia matters, Sean Day, Patricia Duffy, Maureen Seaberg et al

15) Experimenting with endogenic experience, Talma Hendler, Abraham Zangen et al

11b) Microtubules and quantum biology; Stuart Hameroff, Jack Tuszynski et al, Part 2

16 ) Philosophical theories of consciousness, Joshua Weisberg, Uriah Kriegel

17) Imperience: Self-transformation Pranahuti meditation, K. Madhava, K. Mannur et al,

12b) A Victorian’s guide to consciousness, Pim van Lommel, Allan Combs et al, Part 2

1:45 pm to 4:10 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Conference opening, Plenary Session 1

William James Centennial: Eugene Taylor, Bernard Baars, Bruce Mangan

4:30 pm to 6:35 pm, TCC and HA rooms TBA

Concurrent session 1-7

1 Consciousness and thought/representation: Spackman, Kobes, Brogaard, Goff, Pitt
2 Materialism, dualism, HOT: Weisberg, Molyneux, Fiala, Gennaro, Kiefer
3 Neurobiology, theories of consciousness: Josipovic, Buracas, Bieberich, Alto, Brown
4 Unconscious processes: Daltrozzo, Gorbunova, Shin, Walling, Polito
5 AI and computational models: Samsonovich, Wang, Dominey, Pearce, Maimon
6 Art, media and conscious perception: Pepperell, Kerwin, Patten, Steen, Van ! Schie
7 Altered states of consciousness: Baggott, Turausky, Lavallee, Roberts, Perry

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, HA Starlight Ballroom Garden Patio

Welcome Reception

9:30 pm to 11:00 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Club Consciousness 1

Jeff Warren -- 'The wheel of consciousness'

Wednesday April 14, 2010


8:30 am to 10:40 am, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 2, Twin Keynotes:

Marcus Raichle: Brain dark energy and default networks

Robert G. Shulman: Baseline brain energy supporting the state of consciousness

11:10 am to 12:30 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 3

Bodily consciousness: Frederique de Vignemont, Henrik Ehrsson

2:00 pm to 4:10 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 4

Machine consciousness and the ‘Singularity’: David Chalmers, Dharmendra Modha, Ben Goertzel

4:30 pm to 6:35 pm, TCC and HA rooms TBA

Concurrent Sessions 8-15

8 Introspection: Horgan, Schwitzgebel, Siewert, Spener, Adams
9 Panpsychism: Seager, Bruentrup, Buck, Robinson, Faw
10 First-person methodology: Heavey, Coseru, Kordes, Mrazak, Gomes
11 Dreaming: Kahn, D'Agostino, Zadra, Kozmova, Gackenbach
12 Neural correlates: Hubbard, Craigmyle, Mossbridge, Fekete, Saunders
13 Quantum/Subcellular: Neven, Castagnoli, Salari, Bernroider, Craddock, Woolf
14 Contemplation, religion: Shear, Klein, Bahir, Maitra, Seaberg, Bhamidipati

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Poster session 1, TCC

For Poster Schedule see www.consciousness.arizona.edu

7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, TCC

Art/Tech/Demo Sessions 1 and 2

1 Kerwin/Masterson, Kelly, Grossberger, Coates, Lupe

2 Zeng, Vaughn, Hurlburt, Taylor, Walters

9:45 pm to 11:30 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Club Consciousness 2

Vanda Mikolowski -- 'Enlighten up!' Consciousness comedy

Chase Masterson - 'Song stylings from Star Trek'


Thursday, April 15, 2010

8:30 am to 11:00 am, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary 5

Multimodal experience: Patricia Lynne Duffy, Barry Stein, Casey O'Callaghan,

Michael Proulx

11:30 am to 12:50 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 6, Keynote

Karl Deisseroth: Optogenetics: new developments, new applications

Afternoon free

Side trips: Mt. Lemmon/ Sabino Canyon/ Desert Jeep Tour

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, The elegant Westin La Paloma Resort and Hotel

Conference Banquet

10:30 pm, HA

Hospitality Suite


Friday, April 16, 2010

8:30 am to 10:40 am, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 7

Consciousness and Transformation: Cassie Vieten, Jeffrey Martin, Za Rinpoche

11:10 am to 12:30 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 8, Keynote

Antonio Damasio: The neural self

2:00 pm to 4:10 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 8

Theories of Consciousness: Sid Kouider, Marc Ebner, Galen Strawson
4:30 pm to 6:35 pm

Concurrent Sessions 15-21, TCC and HA rooms TBA

15 Consciousness and the self: Carter, Williford, Albahari, Fasching, Woodruff-Smith
16 Ontology of perception: Bricklin, Stubenberg, Grube, Manzotti, Siegel
17 Neurobiology, theories of consciousness: Young, Kozuch, Van Gulick, Sytsma, Hung
18 Psychotherapy and transformation: Mender, Johnson, Thurston, Beal, Kotagiri
19 Mind-wandering: Langland-Hassan, Song, Klonowski, Franklin, Troyer
20 Evolution of consciousness: Whitehead, Beran, McVeigh, Platt, McBeath
21 Nonlocal/Psi: van Lommel, Schwartz, Boccuzzi, Beischel, Delorme

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, TCC

Poster Session 2

See www.consciousness.arizona.edu for Poster Session schedule

7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, TCC

Art/Tech/Demo Session 3

Creath, Perkins, Curtis, Girao, Betz

10:00 pm to 11:30 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Club Consciousness 3

Warm-up poetry performance Maighread Medbh

Poetry Slam, Talent Show, Zombie Blues


Saturday April 17, 2010

8:30 am to 10:40 am, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 10

New directions in NCC research: Gruberger, Prettyman/Biggs, Cerf, Bandyopadyay

11:10 am to 12:30 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 11, Keynote

Robert J Sawyer: Science Fiction and Consciousness

2:00 pm to 4:10 pm, TCC Leo Rich Theater

Plenary Session 12

Mindwandering: Jonathan Schooler, Malia Mason, Jonathan Smallwood

8:00 pm to ???, Maynards at the Depot

End-of-consciousness party

Jazz, Lite Rock, Heavy Philo, Dancing DJ, Kris Patten, Fuzzy Robot Sound Labs and Band, Pub Crawl


BIOSCAPES

http://consciousness.arizona.edu/TSC2010ARTTECH.htm

The conference will host BIOSCAPES, the international traveling exhibit of outstanding images and videos from the Olympus BioScapes Digital Imaging Competition®, a world-wide contest for the best microscopic images. For the Tucson conference, images and video related to consciousness, awareness, brain, neurons and glia have been selected. Abi Behar Montefiore is organizing the Bioscapes installation that will later be shown at the University Medical Center. Tucson-based computer artist Lucia Grossberger Morales produced the DVD installation. Grossberger Morales will also present her own installation ‘Meditations on Computer Patterns.’

MORNING EXPERIENTIAL SESSIONS

By popular demand and especially for weary travelers, guided yoga and meditation sessions will be offered each morning.

WEBINAR Fellows

Finally, opportunity to connect in person...participants in Center for Consciousness Studies Webcourses presented in the past five years by Professor Bernard J Baars are invited for informal gatherings before the social events (TBA).

HOSPITALITY SUITE

The Conference Hospitality Suite on the 9th floor of Hotel Arizona will welcome our attendees -- times TBA, organized by U ! of A Philosophy graduate Czarina Sharpe.

www.consciousness.arizona.edu

center@email.arizona.edu

Conference Program Committee

Stuart Hameroff - Co-chair
David Chalmers - Co-chair

Abi Montefiore - Conference Manager

Bernard J. Baars
Anthony Freeman
Al Kaszniak
Christof Koch
Uriah Kriegel
Hakwan Lau
Marilyn Schlitz

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