Christopher deCharms looks inside the brain | Video on TED.com TED Talks Neuroscientist and inventor Christopher deCharms demonstrates a new way to use fMRI to show brain activity — thoughts, emotions, pain — while it is happening. In other words, you can actually see how you feel.

Quantum thoughts…

We were thinking about NLP techniques that utilise Sub Modal descriptors as a means of changing how something impacts on a person. As we were talking about sub modalities today, one person said ‘they (Sub Modalities) don’t work for me’. There was no push back. With everything in NLP, some things will work better for one individual than another. In many instances, something not working can be the result of us not believing it will work. We are always on the lookout for examples that are not NLP that support NLP. TED is a great source. The Christopher deCharms talk, highlighted below, talks of using fMRI scanning to enable patients to see their brain in action. This can be used in the management of pain as they can see it in their brain in real time. He then asks them to manipulate what they see – turn down the pain in their own mind. The result is that they can control their own pain. The fMRI equipment is, for us, an expensive version of Sub Modalities. The colour image on the screen is a representation of their real pain. A Sub Modal descriptor is the low tech version – what colour is it? What shape is it? Does it move? These all enable the individual to get a fix on the issue ‘in their minds eye’. Once they have it they can change it. Seems like the same process to us. Nice to know that technology is catching up.

TomWujec on 3 ways the brain creates meaning | Video on TED.com TED Talks Information designer Tom Wujec talks through three areas of the brain that help us understand words, images, feelings, connections. In this short talk from TEDU, he asks: How can we best engage our brains to help us better understand big ideas?

Quantum thoughts…

In this lecture Tom Wujec looks at how we make sense or take meaning from information we are provided with. The lecture focuses on the use of imagery as a tool for shared understanding. It explains the value of moving away from something like PowerPoint as a means of delivering information. Quantum has been training people to use graphic communication in our facilitation skills training. Facilitation requires an individual to have knowledge of the specific processes needed to deliver their information and how and when to get the audience to join with you in the process. I also is helpful to have models that explain the psychology of both group and individual interaction, to enable the facilitator to influence, guide and support the direction of the group towards a well defined and agreed outcome. Being a master of the art of facilitation saves time and money while achieving predictable successes. Have a look at our discussion on meetings, cost and time saving at http://www.qnlp.co.uk/documents/meetings.pdf

Henry Markram builds a brain in a supercomputer | Video on TED.com TED Talks Henry Markram says the mysteries of the mind can be solved — soon. Mental illness, memory, perception: they’re made of neurons and electric signals, and he plans to find them with a supercomputer that models all the brain’s 100,000,000,000,000 synapses.

Quantum thoughts…

Actually he and his team have built a cortical column, which is one of the building blocks of the neo-cortex. A fantastic feat on its own. From this he believes he can replicate this to eventually construct a working brain. Whilst this is fantastic, the other element of the lecture is focused on perception and reality. He states that 99 percent of what we perceive is what we assume should happen or be there rather than what is ‘really’ there. What we see and experience is a construct made by us for us. Starts to explain misunderstandings! We don’t see, hear or feel the same. NLP teaches us that ‘the map is not the territory’, that perception is projection. Henry seems to concur. No two brains are the same and no two maps of the world are the same. Science and philosophy meet. There are some interesting discussions on the page that this is posted on. Have a look and decide for yourself.