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: Simulation Theory
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.
Nick Bostrom: Superintelligence & the Simulation Hypothesis
Nick Bostrom is a Swedish-born philosopher at the University of Oxford known for his work on existential risk, the anthropic principle, human enhancement ethics, superintelligence risks, and the reversal test. In 2011, he founded the Oxford Martin Program on the Impacts of Future Technology, and is the founding director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University. In 2009 and 2015, he was included in Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers list.
Bostrom is the author of over 200 publications, and has written two books and co-edited two others. The two books he has authored are Anthropic Bias: Observation Selection Effects in Science and Philosophy (2002) and Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies (2014). Superintelligence was a New York Times bestseller, was recommended by Elon Musk and Bill Gates among others, and helped to popularize the term “superintelligence”.
Bostrom believes that superintelligence, which he defines as “any intellect that greatly exceeds the cognitive performance of humans in virtually all domains of interest,” is a potential outcome of advances in artificial intelligence. He views the rise of superintelligence as potentially highly dangerous to humans, but nonetheless rejects the idea that humans are powerless to stop its negative effects.
In his book Superintelligence, Professor Bostrom asks the questions: What happens when machines surpass humans in general intelligence? Will artificial agents save or destroy us? Nick Bostrom lays the foundation for understanding the future of humanity and intelligent life.
The human brain has some capabilities that the brains of other animals lack. It is to these distinctive capabilities that our species owes its dominant position. If machine brains surpassed human brains in general intelligence, then this new superintelligence could become extremely powerful – possibly beyond our control. As the fate of the gorillas now depends more on humans than on the species itself, so would the fate of humankind depend on the actions of the machine superintelligence.
But we have one advantage: we get to make the first move. Will it be possible to construct a seed Artificial Intelligence, to engineer initial conditions so as to make an intelligence explosion survivable? How could one achieve a controlled detonation?
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
The evidence we are living in a Simulation is everywhere. All you have to do is look.
PROOF THAT EVERYTHING – IS A SIMULATION (Including God) Is this reality? Well, we’re experiencing … something right now so maybe the better question is: what is reality? Could everything we see, everything we experience, everything that exists in our entire universe — be artificial? Supporters of Simulation Theory believe that not only is it possible that we’re living in a simulation; it’s likely. And the more we look for evidence, the more we find. Philip K Dick believed deja vu was the simulation adjusting to new code. Many people experience The Mandela Effect, a or “false memory” shared by a large number of people. But the biggest clues of Simulation Theory come from science. Specifically: quantum mechanics. The only way the Double-Slit Experiment makes sense is if we live in a program. Quantum Entanglement also defies logic. Only our program would have the ability to defy the laws of physics – and the concept of time. Let’s find out why.
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.
Love is the Answer – A Logical Explanation
Why is love the answer? Watch Tom give a logical explanation on why love is the best solution to our evolution. Consciousness is a social system, and the best way for a social system to interact is through caring about other.
Quantum Reality, God & Why The Universe Isn’t Real with Caroline Cory | NLS Podcast
Caroline Cory is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and the founder of the Omnium Method of Energy Medicine and Consciousness Studies. As a child and throughout her life, Cory has had numerous E.S.P (extra-sensory) and “paranormal” experiences, which led her to become deeply connected to spirituality, the study of consciousness, existential topics and the mechanics of the universe.
After teaching Energy Medicine and Consciousness Studies for over a decade, Cory founded Omnium Media, an entertainment and media platform that tackles thought-provoking topics on the human condition and the nature of reality. In addition to writing and producing, Cory continues to lecture and coach internationally on various mind-over-matter subjects and appears regularly as a guest expert on supernatural phenomena at major conferences and television shows, including such popular series as The UnXplained with William Shatner and History Channel’s Ancient Aliens. Her films include, AMONG US, SUPERHUMAN: THE INVISIBLE MADE VISIBLE, and A TEAR IN THE SKY.
The Death of SpaceTime & Birth of Conscious Agents, Donald Hoffman
Spacetime is doomed. It, and its particles, cannot be fundamental in physical theory, but must emerge from a more fundamental theory. I review the converging evidence for this claim from physics and evolution, and then propose a new way to think of spacetime: as a data-compressing and error-correcting channel for information about fitness. I propose that a theory of conscious agents is a good candidate for the more fundamental theory to replace spacetime. Spacetime then appears as one kind of interface for communication between conscious agents.
Donald Hoffman is a cognitive scientist and author of more than 90 scientific papers and three books, including Visual Intelligence: How We Create What We See (W.W. Norton, 2000). He received his BA from UCLA in Quantitative Psychology and his Ph.D. from MIT in Computational Psychology. He joined the faculty of UC Irvine in 1983, where he is now a full professor in the departments of cognitive science, computer science and philosophy. He received a Distinguished Scientific Award of the American Psychological Association for early career research into visual perception, the Rustum Roy Award of the Chopra Foundation, and the Troland Research Award of the US National Academy of Sciences. He was chosen by students at UC Irvine to receive a campus-wide teaching award, and to be included in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Hoffman studies visual perception, visual attention and consciousness using mathematical models, computer simulations, and psychological experiments. His empirical research has led to new insights into how we perceive objects, colors and motion. His theoretical research has led to a “user interface” theory of perception—which proposes that natural selection shapes our perceptions not to report truth but simply to guide adaptive behavior. It has also led to a “conscious realism” theory of consciousness—which proposes a formal model of consciousness and the mind-body problem that takes consciousness as fundamental.