From: Brent Allsop (allsop@fc.hp.com)
Date: Fri Jun 01 2001 - 14:31:03 MDT
"Emlyn" <emlyn@one.net.au> replied:
> If there is some method for moving a consciousness from one
> substrate to another, I would be all for it; that's a different
> kettle of fish. Further, one might then suppose some method of
> combining consciousnesses, based on the consciousness-moving
> techniques and some wild handwaving... in that case, I might be
> happy to try a "teleport", as long as my original consciousness
> could be moved into and merged with my copy's consciousness
> (whatever the hell that means).
It's not quite as "handwaving" as one initially thinks.
Currently people can have a trauma to the back of the head
which destroys only one side of the primary visual cortex. Even
though such people have two eyes, they can't be visually aware of
anything on the side of the field of vision which was destroyed. When
we have the ability to recreate this destroyed tissue, we will surely
have to know how to do it in such a way that it integrates with the
other half, and that the two work together within the same conscious
visual space.
Surely there is nothing to prevent us from repeating a similar
process for a normal undamaged brain and doing something like putting
yet another visual cortex which could take data from "eyes in the back
of your head" or from another person, or something. Surely we'll find
ways of adding such enhancements that aren't necessarily contained
within our skull.... And from there, integrating, sharing, effing,
moving minds and everything.
I can't wit till I can share with my PC what salt tastes like.
I can't wait till I can integrate/share my mind with my wife in such
ways so I can eff and experience all of the sexual and emotional
experiences - subjectively - first hand..., rather than just half of
them. (I'm not necessarily talking about all the higher cognative
thoughts that go along with such, but first - simply the raw sense
awareness of our physical bodies and what does she feel when we touch
and so on.) Chuck primitive notions like I just have to take it on
"proof by peer pressure" or some "turring test" that she feels it in
any way like I do.
Brent Allsop
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