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New research shows that brain across multiple species hangs close to phase transition
Originally published on my Substack.
What sort of balance are we speaking about here?
In this case the researchers were looking at phase transitions.
What is a phase transition?
A phase transition is the balance between two states. For example water turning from ice to water is a phase transition, as is turning from water to steam.
And what about the brain is in phase transition?
Well, everything. But let me step back a bit. I have often referenced an older model proposed by Per Bek, from many years ago, that also noticed that the brain sits between phase transitions and that this can be modelled. It seems like this is a natural law and can be applied to all sorts of natural phenomena such as birds swarming.
The brain has these phase transitions between action and non-action, for example, and how thoughts and actions arise. These underlie these critical phases — you need enough neurons activating to trigger this.
Think of getting to movement: you may think about moving but your brain doesn’t get to a phase…
