The Cortex and the Critical Point Understanding the Power of Emergence

• Main Author: Beggs, John M. (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge The MIT Press 2022
• Series: The MIT Press
• Subjects: Neurosciences; Cryogenics; Neural networks & fuzzy systems; Critical point; Phase transition; Cortex; Neuronal avalanche; Power law; Homeostasis; Optimality; Universality; Epilepsy; Neural network; Computational neuroscience; Neuroscience; Information theory; Electrophysiology.
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

How the cerebral cortex operates near a critical phase transition point for optimum performance. Individual neurons have limited computational powers, but when they work together, it is almost like magic. Firing synchronously and then breaking off to improvise by themselves, they can be paradoxicall...