Comments on: Comprehending the scale of the human brain http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:02:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: zak http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-21465 zak Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:32:06 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-21465 You are an idiot. If the human race sucks so bad then leave it. You are an idiot. If the human race sucks so bad then leave it.

]]> By: Sten http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-21458 Sten Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:14:58 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-21458 Just to back up Chris's point: I'm sure most of us have heard of Spock, if i remember rightly he had no emotions? Definitely no machine... Just to back up Chris’s point:

I’m sure most of us have heard of Spock, if i remember rightly he had no emotions? Definitely no machine…

]]> By: simon http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-20189 simon Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:48:07 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-20189 if you accept in the theory of evolution by natural selection, then our brain evolved gradually from the simplest information processing machine to what it is today, by incremental steps, slowly advancing in complexity. Emotions developed along with all the other artefacts of our brain from the simplest beginnings to the staggering complexity we now observe. Unless you believe that at some point some divine intervention or other supernatural event interfered with this process, then how can you conclude that we are anything other than machines? Our minds create the illusion of soul, along with many other illusions that make up our reality. These illusions evolved to help us to survive. Believing we have a soul might increase our will to live and reproduce, without this illusion, which seems to form such an important part of our sense of self, we might get depressed about how meaningless it actually all is. if you accept in the theory of evolution by natural selection, then our brain evolved gradually from the simplest information processing machine to what it is today, by incremental steps, slowly advancing in complexity. Emotions developed along with all the other artefacts of our brain from the simplest beginnings to the staggering complexity we now observe. Unless you believe that at some point some divine intervention or other supernatural event interfered with this process, then how can you conclude that we are anything other than machines? Our minds create the illusion of soul, along with many other illusions that make up our reality. These illusions evolved to help us to survive. Believing we have a soul might increase our will to live and reproduce, without this illusion, which seems to form such an important part of our sense of self, we might get depressed about how meaningless it actually all is.

]]> By: Chris http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-20177 Chris Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:20:11 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-20177 I have a few things to say about the differentiation some have made between the brain and the mind, particularly in response to Xavier. I don't understand how you can make a differentiation based on whether something possesses emotions or not. It seems really arbitrary to me, because then under your definition every living thing that doesn't feel emotions is a machine, regardless of their degree of cognition. If we encountered aliens far more intelligent than us, but who lacked emotions, would they be machines? Emotions are a quality we have as humans, but so what? Are they not derived from the brain? Chemical imbalances within the brain can severely affect a person's emotional disposition, which to me sounds like a quality a machine would posses. We often think of our minds as something metaphysical or unmoved by the physical world, when it is perfectly clear what the effects of brain damage are. Emotions are an aspect of our minds to ultimately encourage our survival, something that any machine built simply to survive has in some degree. Mathew- you do admit though that the vast majority of people have similar cognitive tools available, right? It's also rather ignorant and arrogant to suggest that the majority of humans are ignorant and bigoted. Unless, of course, you have traveled extensively around the world and engaged in fluent conversation everywhere you go. If that is the case, my apologies. Otherwise, get off your high horse; your ego is getting so heavy you might kill the poor animal. I have a few things to say about the differentiation some have made between the brain and the mind, particularly in response to Xavier.
I don’t understand how you can make a differentiation based on whether something possesses emotions or not. It seems really arbitrary to me, because then under your definition every living thing that doesn’t feel emotions is a machine, regardless of their degree of cognition. If we encountered aliens far more intelligent than us, but who lacked emotions, would they be machines? Emotions are a quality we have as humans, but so what? Are they not derived from the brain? Chemical imbalances within the brain can severely affect a person’s emotional disposition, which to me sounds like a quality a machine would posses. We often think of our minds as something metaphysical or unmoved by the physical world, when it is perfectly clear what the effects of brain damage are. Emotions are an aspect of our minds to ultimately encourage our survival, something that any machine built simply to survive has in some degree.
Mathew- you do admit though that the vast majority of people have similar cognitive tools available, right? It’s also rather ignorant and arrogant to suggest that the majority of humans are ignorant and bigoted. Unless, of course, you have traveled extensively around the world and engaged in fluent conversation everywhere you go. If that is the case, my apologies. Otherwise, get off your high horse; your ego is getting so heavy you might kill the poor animal.

]]> By: Matthew Rumph http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19801 Matthew Rumph Sun, 10 May 2009 13:51:51 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19801 I agree with Pratik in that it is wrong to classify the brain as a machine. In addition, I am going to make a distinction between the brain and the mind. You can speak all day long about the number of neurons in the brain but that does nothing to speak to the quality of the mind that resides within the brain. Please note that there are still a huge number (the majority?) of ignorant, bigoted people who have no more intelligence than a box of rocks. If it is not used to a good degree, what good is all the potential in the universe? I agree with Pratik in that it is wrong to classify the brain as a machine. In addition, I am going to make a distinction between the brain and the mind. You can speak all day long about the number of neurons in the brain but that does nothing to speak to the quality of the mind that resides within the brain. Please note that there are still a huge number (the majority?) of ignorant, bigoted people who have no more intelligence than a box of rocks. If it is not used to a good degree, what good is all the potential in the universe?

]]> By: glorybe http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19644 glorybe Tue, 05 May 2009 14:57:09 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19644 Considering human history as well as the tribulations and carnage currently created by humanity one might wonder if humans are not some sort of defective monsters without potential for intelligent life. Our greatest accomplishments tend to be in bashing others over the head and stealing their lands etc.. Considering human history as well as the tribulations and carnage currently created by humanity one might wonder if humans are not some sort of defective monsters without potential for intelligent life. Our greatest accomplishments tend to be in bashing others over the head and stealing their lands etc..

]]> By: Pratik Saptarshi http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19627 Pratik Saptarshi Tue, 05 May 2009 05:16:41 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19627 I both agree an disagree at the same time... ("U know my machine tells me to do that !") The reason is that although i accept the fact that human brain is an engineering marvel, i think it would be too ludicrous to classify it as simple as machine. It is a biological entity of no parallel. Its capabilities are quite not fully understood. Comparing it is one thing and labeling it another. I both agree an disagree at the same time… (“U know my machine tells me to do that !”)

The reason is that although i accept the fact that human brain is an engineering marvel, i think it would be too ludicrous to classify it as simple as machine. It is a biological entity of no parallel. Its capabilities are quite not fully understood. Comparing it is one thing and labeling it another.

]]> By: blufindr http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19376 blufindr Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:07:40 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19376 My brain (metaphorically) exploded, trying to imagine this concept. "Profoundly gigantic", indeed. My brain (metaphorically) exploded, trying to imagine this concept.

“Profoundly gigantic”, indeed.

]]> By: Xavier http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19326 Xavier Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:01:40 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19326 Balderdash. As if being alive is a function of the quantity of zero and one operations you can perform! A machine needs something more to be an animal - like an ability to feel. And when a machine does become endowed with such an ability it ceases to be a machine. Lets keep our concepts differentiated! Balderdash. As if being alive is a function of the quantity of zero and one operations you can perform! A machine needs something more to be an animal – like an ability to feel. And when a machine does become endowed with such an ability it ceases to be a machine. Lets keep our concepts differentiated!

]]> By: Shane Legg http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19322 Shane Legg Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:48:47 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19322 @Fred, you're out by a factor of over 1,000: Roadrunner = 1.105 peta FLOPS = 1.105 x 10^15 ops per second Humanity = 6 x 10^9 people Thus, 184,000 ops/sec for every person on the planet. @Fred, you’re out by a factor of over 1,000:

Roadrunner = 1.105 peta FLOPS = 1.105 x 10^15 ops per second

Humanity = 6 x 10^9 people

Thus, 184,000 ops/sec for every person on the planet.

]]> By: fred http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19321 fred Sat, 04 Apr 2009 04:57:42 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19321 I don't want to directly compare computers with the brain but if you want to wrap your mind around an unbelievably profoundly gigantic machine, IBM' new petaflop barrier breaking machine can perform over 150 ops/sec for every person on the planet! I don’t want to directly compare computers with the brain but if you want to wrap your mind around an unbelievably profoundly gigantic machine, IBM’ new petaflop barrier breaking machine can perform over 150 ops/sec for every person on the planet!

]]> By: LKLKL http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19313 LKLKL Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:24:44 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19313 I agree with degen. Our bodies and this whole earth are biological machines. Psychedelic substances make your brain function on different levels, but function is possible and new realities discovered. Our minds are just programmed to be in this state that they are in now I agree with degen. Our bodies and this whole earth are biological machines. Psychedelic substances make your brain function on different levels, but function is possible and new realities discovered. Our minds are just programmed to be in this state that they are in now

]]> By: degen http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19312 degen Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:19:16 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19312 Yes, the brain is just a machine. Just like the Earth is just a planet. The Earth may very well be the most amazingly unique planet in the regard that it can support life, but that does not change that it is just a planet. I'm not lacking any imagination by making these statements. That being said: good analogy. Yes, the brain is just a machine. Just like the Earth is just a planet. The Earth may very well be the most amazingly unique planet in the regard that it can support life, but that does not change that it is just a planet. I’m not lacking any imagination by making these statements.

That being said: good analogy.

]]> By: randomnut http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19311 randomnut Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:51:09 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19311 Unbelievably profoundly gigantic indeed! Stumbled. Unbelievably profoundly gigantic indeed! Stumbled.

]]> By: CAS-Group Blog » Mindless Intelligence http://www.vetta.org/2008/08/comprehending-scale-of-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-19087 CAS-Group Blog » Mindless Intelligence Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:36:11 +0000 http://www.vetta.org/?p=87#comment-19087 [...] the sense of “could it possibly exist?”; it is evidently an engineering problem (see here and here). Since we all agree on AI’s fundamental hypothesis, that physical machines have the capacity for [...] [...] the sense of “could it possibly exist?”; it is evidently an engineering problem (see here and here). Since we all agree on AI’s fundamental hypothesis, that physical machines have the capacity for [...]

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