The Connectome

Connectomics, the emerging field of mapping the human brain and its inspirational potential for non-neuroscientists.

"A connectome is a synapse-resolution mapping of connections between all neurons in a model organism's brain. In other words, a synapse-resolution circuit diagram of the brain. Current approaches to mapping the connectomes of model organisms employ serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The only connectome that has been mapped out to date has been from the nematode (roundworm), C. elegans, which has only around 300 neurons. Candidate future connectomes include the fly, with around 10,000 neurons, and the mouse brain, with 100 million neurons."
Kasthuri N, Lichtman JW. The Rise of the Projectome. Nat Methods. 2007 Apr;4(4):307-8.
from: connectomes.org

One of the leading labs in connectome research is the Seung lab at MIT. Read about their work in the MIT Press article and watch Sebastian Seung's brilliant TED talk (I am my connectome) about the quest of mapping the human connectome.

As with other cutting edge scientific concepts, it is intriguing to think this concept through in other fields such as seeing public spaces as areas where connectomes of another sort are arising. So connectomes may be conceptualized for specific landscapes as well. As planners and landscape architects we can then aid  connectomes to establish and to diversify. The mapping images and technologies may be at least inspirational.

Anyway. Thank you neuroscientists for this amazing material! And good luck for further work!

Pictures on this page are taken from Hagmann et. al. (2008) 'Mapping the Structural Core of Human Cerebral Cortex' PLoS Biol 6(7)

sidewalk fulgurite

when a powerline hits prefab concrete on the ground, the material can melt and form some kind of fulgurite, or lechatelierite.

from: http://www.celestialmonochord.org/2006/05/sidewalk_fulgar.html

and see the exact site on google maps, even to identify on streetview. 

trimaris

siberia 2009

mapped some destinations from our excursions itinerary. global perspective to local beauty. looking forward to that!

fremdforschung [strangeness research] II

This phenomenological inquiry into public space interprets the alien, the strange (dt. das Fremde) as symbolic component of our environment. “Approaches to the alien” were conducted in the Rhine valley between Bregenz, Fußach and Dornbirn, mapping places of strange connotation to people by asking passengers to name an alien place. Thereby the research followed an unintended route. This path was later put on a wall in the exhibition space and complemented with ‘strange objects’ [dt. Fremdkörper], kinematic pictures and quotes from philosophical literature. 
florian lorenz, 2008 @ 'antipodium' VAI Bregenz

CLICK TO ENLARGE ! neue bilder ! new pictures ! [image credits: Reinhard Uttenthaler]

klagenfurt and maribor

fremdforschung [strangeness research]

This phenomenological inquiry into public space interprets the alien, the strange (dt. das Fremde) as symbolic component of our environment. “Approaches to the alien” were conducted in the Rhine valley between Bregenz, Fußach and Dornbirn, mapping places of strange connotation to people by asking passengers to name an alien place. Thereby the research followed an unintended route. This path was later put on a wall in the exhibition space and complemented with ‘strange objects’ [dt. Fremdkörper], kinematic pictures and quotes from philosophical literature. 
florian lorenz, 2008 @ 'antipodium' VAI Bregenz

other places, other spaces [VBG]