Could it be a coincidence that two founding fathers of modern day computing, independently from each other, are both coming with theories of consciousness that are idealist in nature? Or does a deep understanding of what computation is—and what it is not—inevitably lead away from physicalist ideas on consciousness? Previously Essentia Foundation presented the work of Federico Faggin, and now a legendary contemporary of his, computer engineer Bill Mensch, presents his Theory of Embedded Intelligence (TEI) to us. Mensch was a major contributor to the Motorola 6800 and became famous for his work on the MOS Technology 6502 CPU, a chip that, because of it’s efficiency, completely revolutionized computing in the 80’s. From Arcade halls to the Apple II and Nintendo 8 bit consoles, 6502s could be found everywhere. Even to this day the chip is still used in children’s toys and even in pacemakers and satellites. Looking back at his career, Mensch realizes that building computer chips is in essence a form of ‘embedding’ intelligence in technology, just as nature has embedded intelligence in biological systems, like humans. In his TEI model intelligence is fundamental. This raises the philosophical question of how consciousness relates to intelligence, and for this reason Bernardo Kastrup joined in on the conversation Mensch and Hans Busstra had. The value of a theory like Mensch’s is perhaps exactly that it is not philosophically fine-tuned to the terminology commonly used in philosophy of mind. By not taking the human mind and phenomenal consciousness as its departure point, but intelligence instead, Mensch arrives at a position in which the distinction between living beings and abiotic systems is less distinct. Mensch’s slides can be downloaded here: https://www.essentiafoundation.o…
Tag: Self Simulation Hypothesis
Will AI produce a state of deep utopia? (w/ Nick Bostrom, Future of Humanity Institute)
In his new book “Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World,” philosopher Nick Bostrom ponders what life could be like in a “solved world” – a world where everything works and works better than if human hands got in the way. “What then?” asks Bostrom, is the reason to work? “Is it to earn extra income or because working is an intrinsically valued activity?” Bostrom is the head of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford and a philosopher with a background in theoretical physics, computational neuroscience, logic, and artificial intelligence. He has been called the “Superintelligent Swede” because of the deep philosophical work he undertakes as he examines the trajectory of human life at the intersection of destruction and possibility. Bostrom says, “If artificial intelligence can be achieved, it would be an event of unparalleled consequence – perhaps even a rupture to the fabric of history” – a rupture, Bostrom says, “will change the course of human history but is it the end of human history?” We invited Nick Bostrom to join us for a Conversation That Matters about our flirtatious and tempestuous relationship with the evolution of intelligence.
Klee Irwin – Are we Living In A Simulation? – Part 1 – Doom and Gloom
It is utterly realistic for mankind to plunge into one of the many apocalypse movie scenarios, such as environmental, viral, nuclear, famine, water resource apocalypses. Of 195 nations, most are grounded in the philosophy of materialism, which is just as much a philosophical and non-scientific guess about reality as other philosophies such as the simulation hypothesis. We propose that a philosophy as important as materialism (the belief that the core of reality is made of matter) is ultimately causal and guides a global society. A different philosophy of reality would guide the vector or timeline in a different way. Are we living in a simulation? This multi-part series is about the nature of reality. One philosophy to consider is materialism, which is the guess that reality is not made of information at its core but is made of material or matter. The digital physics revolution is the increasingly popular belief among physicists that materialism is a false philosophy and that reality is literally made of information vs being conveniently described by it. If reality is made of information, two candidates for what its substrate would be include: (1) An emergent universal computer. Or (2) an emergent universal mind. Either one could serve as the substrate to hold and process information. The series starts with an emphasis on the instability of human civilization in the 21st century and how quickly old scientific and cultural belief systems are changing. It ends with the provocative suggestion that a clearer scientific picture of what reality is could shift humanity off course from its current high potential for apocalypse. Specifically, if the truer picture turns out to be a status quo rejection of the ancient philosophy of materialism, the implication is that it would change how humanity evolves and interacts on this planet going forward. Look for Part Two!
Find out more about Quantum Gravity Research at quantumgravityresearch.org
Find out more about Klee Irwin at kleeirwin.com
Does reality exist? | Anil Seth, Sabine Hossenfelder, Massimo Pigliucci & Anders Sandberg
Until recently the possibility that we are living in a computer simulation was largely limited to fans of The Matrix with an over active imagination or sci-fi fantasists. But now some are arguing that strange quirks of our universe, like the indeterminateness of quantum theory and the black hole information paradox are evidence that our reality is in actuality a created simulation. Moreover, tech guru Elon Musk has come out supporting the theory, arguing that “”we are most likely in a simulation””. Should we take the idea that we are living in a computer simulation seriously?
Video Game Developer Brilliantly Explains The Mysteries & Implications of The Simulation Hypothesis
Courtesy of Contact in the Desert Virtual Conference – MIT Computer Scientist Rizwan Virk delves into the mysteries and implications of the Simulation Hypothesis, which explores one of the most daring and important theories of our time: that our physical reality is part of an increasingly sophisticated video game-like reality. Using his experience as a video game designer, he shows why the simulation hypothesis better explains many of the mysteries from quantum physics, eastern (and western religions), and charts out the evolution of our own technology up to the point where we will be able to create simulations like the Matrix. Moreover, Virk will talk about how UFOs, synchronicity, OBEs and remote viewing fit into the simulation model of the universe.