A discussion and social group for academics and non academics interested in the scientific study of consciousness. What is consciousness? We all know the immediate experience of what it is to be conscious, but from a scientific perspective what on earth it is!? Is it as Francis Cricks "Astonishing Hypothesis" suggests - a phenomena completely explainable as the result of complex neuronal interactions, or is it a quantum mechanical phenomena ? Perhaps its a self-referential computer program runni …

Recent advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology are propelling man-machine interfacing into a new era in which machines such as computers and prostethic limbs are more directly and tightly coupled to our brain's neural activity. Examples of these advances include: mice whose brains have been altered using optogenetics learn and unlearn on command; a monkey who controls an artificial arm and feeds himself via a brain-machie interface; scientists who can render an image imagined or dreamed of …

The purpose of this group is to educate one another about AI and related fields.  We're interested in how machines might be made to "think like people," and what is known about the human mind at a computational level.  Usually we pick books or papers as a starting point for discussion.  Sometimes we have mini-tutorials on AI topics. Anyone interested in studying intelligent machines is welcome.  We have people with diverse backgrounds in AI, neuroscience, and other areas.  Additionally, some of …

We meet at the Sony Plaza at 550 Madison (between 55th and 56th) every first Saturday of the month at 2pm. We talk about why our best logic, experience, physics, (yes, even quantum mechanics) psychology and neuroscience all point to the inescapable conclusion that human beings DO NOT have a free will; we have a predetermined, causal will. What makes free will impossible?  Logically, because everything happens for a reason, and every reason has a prior reason.  Experientially, the simple fact tha …

Fascinated by psychology? We'll read books regarding cognitive psychology, behavioral economics, and discuss the power of neuroplasticity. Meet and talk to others who share the same interest in psychology as you do. We'll meet monthly and books will cover key areas in psychology such as: - Behavioral psychology - Decision-making - Behavioral economics - Organizational psychology - Positive psychology

Everything about Music. We will meet once in two-three weeks to talk about music's pleasure, harmony, philosophy, and neuroscience. A special topic will be the visualization of melodic space. Music lovers, moviemakers, and computer virtuosos are welcome to discuss their ideas about music’s images. Wednesday 7PM

The only reason to join my meetup is if you're someone who wants to know as much as possible about bipolar disorder, especially in regards to how best to thrive with our disorder. I come armed with numerous thorough, expensive and informative Psychiatric textbooks, a few Clinical Psychology Textbooks, as well as numerous excellent books on Bipolar Disorder, which you will have full access to once you join the group. The books alone are worth thousands of dollars. Then I also add to the mix profe …

NYC UX Acrobatics primary focus is the varied facets of UX design, research and usability. Our aim is to create monthly 'UX themed' workshop style meetings where members work with each other learning, discovering and networking on all things UX. Potential topics: paper prototyping, experience maps, user research and testing, persona dev, a/b testing, front-end best practices, RWD (Responsive Web Design), PET Design (Persuasion, Emotion, and Trust Design), competitive analysis, sketching UX, cont …

The NY Quantified Self meetup is modeled on the Bay Area Quantified Self Show & Tell meetings started in 2008 by Gary Wolf and Kevin Kelly in the Bay Area. Your host for the NYC meetup is Steve Dean @sgdean. Write us with your recommendations, tips, and observations. This is a regular show and tell for people who take advantage of various personal self-tracking tools and methods to gain more knowledge about themselves, others and the world around them. Come share what you are doing and learn fro …

This group is open to anyone interested in learning about and practicing mindfulness meditation. Each class includes some basic instructions and a guided meditation. This approach focuses on using our daily lives and the challenges we face as fertile ground for cultivating a peaceful mind and open heart. Mindfulness meditation draws on the wisdom of ancient meditation traditions as well as western medicine and neuroscience to train the mind to be calm, focused, attentive, flexible, and efficient …

Click Here to See "Why Meditate?" Free Meditation and Yoga with an Ocean View and No Mumbo-Jumbo. Reduce stress, improve focus and mood, get control of your life and understand yourself better with meditation techniques proven in clinical settings... or Just come and do your own thing in good company! This is a time and space to do your own meditation and/or yoga practice without having to deal with any religions, lineages, foreign languages, weird people in robes, bowing, chanting or Medieval ( …

Growing spiritually and helping others to do so... this is the meaning of life! Together we can foster the evolution of the human spirit through the study and practice of the world’s wisdom traditions as seen in the light of contemporary knowledge, develop our inner wisdom through the process of deep listening and true dialogue, and encourage each other by applying the core ideals at the heart of the world’s spiritual teachings to modern life. As our culture is rapidly evolving, so too is the le …

Colossus in 2012! Discuss, Learn, Implement, our Silicon Overlords!

This is group is for people who are on a steady diet of ideas and hang out in D.U.M.B.O., New York (or can get there by foot or by air). You may work in a digital agency, in an ad agency, in a tech start-up, or in fashion, but the one thing we'll all share is a large appetite to draw in thinking from unexpected people and places - especially the people we work and live around in D.U.M.B.O.

The focus of this group: To enhance our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health through a regular practice of communing in nature, moving our bodies, quieting our minds, and/or finding ourselves in fits of laughter and spirited connection with other women and friends.  To cultivate feelings of inner peace, well being and joy by pursuing activities that nourish, inspire, educate, and motivate us, with the fundamental goal of feeling GOOD -- in the moment, and beyond -- and to bring some …

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clarke Become a Communication Rock Star, a magician of Conversational Influence. Social Status Relationships Leadership Change When you excell at, Conversational Mind Control Nonverbal Power Protocols The Code of Influence Stealth Hypnosis and Hypnotic Language Patterns There is no other group in the area that delivers anything like this. We will be having fun and learning, using State of the Art learning …

Welcome to our group! Happiness is not found. It's created. Through research in positive psychology and neuroscience, we now know more than ever about what actually helps us feel content, wholehearted, satisfied and full of purpose. Come learn about this with us! We will venture into all sorts of topics related to happiness like: creativity authenticity play mindfulness connection balance gratitude Everyone is welcome. Join us in exploring what makes for a fulfilling life.

I will be talking about the neuroscience of female orgasm, and how it can be used to treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. I'll also be talking about the medical and scientific evidence supporting my work, and future research endeavors.