> -----Original Message----- > From: Matt Mahoney via AGI [mailto:[email protected]] > > Hameroff has zero evidence to support his theories. But it probably doesn't > matter. Billions of people believe with zero evidence that they will go to > heaven. If I can convince you with some quantum mumbo jumbo that your > soul will be transferred to this robot after I slice up your brain, then > that's > good enough for me. I'm really only interested in convincing the people that > know you. >
According to Hameroff and Penrose the recent discovery of quantum vibrations in microtubules has corroborated their Orch OR theory of consciousness. You're wrong there is not zero evidence. YOUR brain computation numbers could be off by a factor as much as 10^10. I don't agree with your computation specifically, generally though they do paint a related picture. For Orch OR see: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1571064513001188/pdf?md5=a2a373f9c220604c16a58e1893a3f1f7&pid=1-s2.0-S1571064513001188-main.pdf > > Right. We don't need pointless philosophical distractions. AGI is an > engineering problem. We start with a cost/benefit analysis. First, the > benefits: > You needn't focus on soul and particular aspects of consciousness like qualia I can understand how it is distraction for some. Personally I see them as a way to get AGI technology on board with human concerns. Similar to in some ways when initially building a controlled atomic fission device it had to been controlled, contained and had a purpose. The containment as important as to what it contained and the purpose being for one group of human beings to gain an upper hand on another group. But the overall benefit to humanity had to be managed. Presently nuclear containment is being managed very badly as in Fukushima so the benefits of that technology are being reevaluated by many of those involved in building it. Humanity as a whole should reserve the right to re-evaluate these things that effect our existence. Consciousness and soul are important in those regards and not just a distraction. John ------------------------------------------- AGI Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/21088071-f452e424 Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=21088071&id_secret=21088071-58d57657 Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
