Emlyn <emlyn@one.net.au> Wrote:
> ... and as we add new stuff, we can slowly shut off old stuff. Eventually,
> the transition is complete. Like the axe handed down through generations,
> head replaced 3 times, handle replaced 7 times, the components have changed,
> but identity remains. I think we can fully upload, and retain conscious integrity.
> Not by a copy mechanism, however; only by gradual modification
I'd like to do it that way too, at least if I was one of the very early uploaders,
the reason is strictly practical, it would be the best way to catch small bugs
in the replacement protocol before they became large bugs.
Philosophically speaking the speed of the change would make absolutely no difference.
>Unfortunately, this is not an information scenario, and means there is no
>possibility of backups.
Ok, I have good information about a neuron in your brain so I can use
Nanotechnology to remove it and replace it with an artificial one. The
10,000 other neurons connected to it would see nothing strange;
if my information is good (and if it's at the atomic level it certainly is) the
artificial neuron will externally act just like the natural one. When you're
satisfied the neuron is working properly and you are still you I get to work
on another neuron. After doing this 100 billion times your entire brain is
now artificial and even you admit this thing is you.
End of story.
Oh, one thing I forgot to tell you, when I removed neurons from your
brain I didn't throw them away, I assembled them into a brain that
also insists it's you.
You know something, you're both right.
John K Clark jonkc@att.net
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon May 28 2001 - 09:50:35 MDT