From: Bernard Hughes (bjhughes@istar.ca)
Date: Wed Oct 21 1998 - 09:21:04 MDT
Joe E. Dees wrote:
> Wrong, wrong, wrong! There is a certain Godelian critical mass of
> cortical complexity (translation: quantity of neurons and synaptic
> connections) necessary for the emergence of self-reference (and
> much more for context-sensitively evolving self-and-other
> consciousness). Read "Biology as Ideology" by Richard C.
> Lewontin, who trenchantly make the point that it is our cortical
> volume, providing the space for this complexity to manifest (thus the
> number of connections it allows), that permits the awakening of self-
> awareness. Mighty Mites as mental whizzes are not merely science
> fiction; they are irrevocably anchored in the realm of fantasy. Joe
I hope not. I like Spike's idea. Surely if there is a critical quantity it is
connectivity and processing power rather than physical mass. Likely we can do
better than the biological neuron with with nanotechnology. With a smaller than
neuron equivalent, we can build a smaller than natural human equivalent brain.
If not ants, at least mice.
Small is beautiful :-)
Bernard
-- Bernard J Hughes bernard@timedancer.com Timedancer Systems http://www.timedancer.com -- Creative Laziness at its best --
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