Life Sciences Seminar: The POPSTAR project: an ancient evolutionary calculus for attention signaling retained in modern music

Event Image
Life Sciences seminar banner

Life Sciences Seminar
The POPSTAR project: an ancient evolutionary calculus for attention signaling retained in modern music

Dr. Greg Babbitt
Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences 
Rochester Institute of Technology

Abstract
:

Most animals (including humans) pay attention to specific audiovisual stimuli within their environment. Here we explore common features of these stimuli and propose a single mathematical framework (with software) for detecting and measuring the quality of performance regarding attention signaling in the context of sound. We show that musical sounds are exceptionally attractive to our attention and that attention signaling in music probably has ancient evolutionary roots that connect to when early life forms started to evolve swift directed movement and the sensory capacities to detect it.

Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates. Those with interest in the topic.

To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu


Contact
Elizabeth DiCesare
Event Snapshot
When and Where
November 24, 2025
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Room/Location: A300
Who

This is an RIT Only Event

Interpreter Requested?

No

Topics
diversity
faculty
research