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Post by kevinhuo on Jul 20, 2015 2:15:15 GMT
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness. 2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is the theory of how our consciousness is perceiving reality. What is actually reality remains a constant factor. What changes our perception is how the mind portrays it. Just as the 80 year-old woman had mistaken the animatron to be an actual person, it is easy for the mind to be lead into believing something. Ignorance is definitely a factor that enables the mind to be easier to be tricked. However, it is ultimately the mind that is dependent on how information is being processed. There are parts of the consciousness that is inexplicable and simply adds to the mystery of the workings of the mind. Ultimately, the mind is the deciding factor on how information is being
processed. The brain can trick us by altering our perceptions. For example, dreams are perceived to be a reality within the mind. Only once we are awake, are we able in acknowledging the infringement upon reality the dream is. This is only one example of how the mind is capable in tricking our perception of reality. Another situation would be when an individual has entered a scenario in which they are in a near death environment. If pushed to extreme measures, the individual can possibly withdraw into the mind in order to escape the harsh components of reality. Within the mind, the individual will replicate an environment in which things are better and safer. That is another example in which the brain can trick us for the benefit of our genetic survival. Another way the brain tricks us is the change in pain perception. For example, it is possible for the mind to numb the pain when the individual swears.
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Post by ggonzalez170 on Jul 20, 2015 4:50:12 GMT
WEEK FOUR: Neural Philosophy and Consciousness
TWO REQUIRED ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
In the video “Brain Burn: consciousness as a Virtual Stimulator” it says we consciously visualize things in our minds which are not real. Humans tend to do this to imagine and visualize probabilities of things that can happen. In the video it says: “Consciousness is a way around pure developing an internalized map of probabilities which can be visualized internally without having to be outsourced prematurely. -Fragment 28”. What I understand by the video is that consciousness is in a way disconnected from reality and they we day dream and have an imagination. When we are daydreaming or imagining things we can visualize them in our head but those thoughts are not reality. Consciousness is a virtual simulator people see things when daydreaming but they are not real and in turn will allow for a better outcome in reality. If people have a way to run through a problem of a question in their mind when it is time for reality there will be a better outcome to the problem or question that a person was going through.
Neuralsurfur. "Brain Burn: Consciousness as a Virtual Simulator." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 19 July 2015.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our brain tricks us because it is a way to cope with reality and a way of living. In the book “Cerebral Mirage The Deceptive Nature of Awareness” Professor Andrea Diem-Lane, PH.D says: “The brain tricks us into believing something to be real when it is not, provided that such trickery provides with a survival advantage”(pg17). Our brain learns to adapt to certain situations and our brain perceives things in a way that it will allow us to survive. Our surroundings have many things that our brain tricks us into seeing differently. In the book it also talks about the way we see color and the only colors are invisible then with the reflective of white the message is sent to the eye then the brain allows us to see the color. Another thing that really was amazing to me was that everything in our electronic devices are all programmed with binary numbers 0 and 1. When we see our phones, tablets and computers we see the programs results but not all the work that goes into the program.
Be sure to support your answers with references to the required readings and films. Each answer should be at least 150 words. Place your answers on your website and also on the class forum.
EXTRA CREDIT: respond in detail (50 words or more) to another student's essay answers and post them on the forum as well as on your website.
Responded to Hansen Young
Hello, I agree that we live in a world that is filled with possibilities of the brain tricking us. There is a lot that goes into just being able to see a color. The brain takes up all the colors of the rainbow then the color goes to the object and then to the eye. Once the color goes into the eye and the message is sent to the brain we are able to see the color of the object. If we were not able to have the white to contrast the colors maybe we wouldn’t be able to see the colors. The brain helps us adapt to certain situations and allow for our survival.
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Post by marie ashley siy on Jul 20, 2015 6:54:46 GMT
Week 4 Essay Questions:
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The simulation theory of consciousness is what our dreams are or any other types of illusions or scenarios we make in our heads. “The reality we experience is part and parcel a simulation and may or may not correlate externally from ourselves.” (Is the Universe an App? 106). As humans, we have self awareness of who and what we are. We often play out possible scenarios in our head. Our consciousness is a virtual simulator. Our four F's is what causes our imaginations to act up. Our imagination is always based of what we desire both latently and explicitly. Always, we'd want the best possible outcome from every situation that comes across us. We try to predict and control our natural world through various simulations we play in our minds. Through many simulations we go through, eventually we pick one to do and make that in-brain fantasy a reality. The world is only what we perceive it to be as there is more than meets the eye. Piece by piece our world is so simple yet extremely complicated when taken apart or bringing awareness to what something really is. Our consciousness and our perception of reality is what we think and believe it to be.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
The brain tricks us in many ways sometimes for the best and sometimes for the worst. There are some factors where we can control which areas the brain tricks us in. We are basically self-aware slabs of meat piloting a fleshy vessel to survive. Our brains are us and what we want to change consciously or unconsciously, our brain tries to it's best ability to make it happen. If it makes us uncomfortable, our brain tries to change that and it could be changed through desensitization or sheer willpower. The negative stimulus will still be there, but our brains will find a way to deal with it like choosing to ignore it. Nothing in the physical world has changed, our brain has just made us believe that it isn't there anymore or it isn't as bad as it seems. If we were uncomfortable everyday of our lives, we would eventually get stressed out and become unhealthy. It is necessary that our brain does trick us sometime to prevent unrest from happening. From The Cerebral Mirage, "The brain tricks us into believing something to be real when it is not, provided that such trickery provides with a survival advantage" (Lane 18). For example, the sound of water constantly dripping from a ceiling would irritate someone, that person would have trouble sleeping and in result, they would be very tired in the morning and have much less energy than others having a bad night's sleep, which in turn makes them more susceptible to danger. Eventually, that person would get used to the maddening dripping after some nights and they would get used to it and eventually sleep through it. By doing that, that person's sleep schedule has been restored and they now have enough energy to function as a person. It was necessary that their brains had done that or else everyday that person would be tired and not energetic enough to live properly. That person is upping their chances for survival. We put a false guise of comfort to mask over things we don't like but have to deal with. We always want to believe that we are in control of anything even though we know we are not.
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Post by marie ashley siy on Jul 20, 2015 6:59:39 GMT
Week 4, Question 1: The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is a theory that basically postulates that what we see is not real but merely simulated images that our brain provides us with. In other words, we do not 'see' the world but the 'show' that our brains interpret it as. Phones are used as an example of this - we play games and use apps on our forms everyday bit we have no idea how it really works. We see moving pictures and colorful texts but their real forms are binary numbers and programming codes. Similar to this , we see the world as interpretations of the information our senses send us but not the actual information itself. What we see is a virtual simulation - the illusion that is created from the information received. Our conscious mind has therefore had the metaphorical wool pulled over its eyes and is seeing an illusion that is played for us by our brains. Week 4, Question 2: The brain tricks us by making us experience events and view images that are either not real or half real in order to increase or salvage our chances of survival. For example, in the book 'Cerebral Mirage: The Deceptive Nature of Awareness' discusses the effects of near death experiences or NDE's, where a person under great stress most often on the verge of death experiences flashbacks or sees an images or a series of images to increase or salvage the person's chances of survival. This is borne out by a statement from page 18 of the book 'Cerebral Mirage': "There is, in fact, one common denominator among all those who report NDE's: they didn't die.", thereby allowing the person or people to live on and pass on their genes. This trickery of the brain is not necessarily constrained to one time things - the brain can also be said maintains a form of continuous trickery. An example is the virtual simulation theory of consciousness. Extra Credit Response:Your answer about near death experiences was very interesting. Their death did not happen yet, their brain had tricked them into thinking they were done for. Having a near death experience would really help a person's chances of survival and increase their lifespan by scaring them straight by teaching them a lesson to make their chances of doing that same death-defying action once more less likely. It makes people feel fortunate that they were able to live through that despite the circumstances and in turn will appreciate life more and be more careful. That's how the brain tricks us into surviving longer. |
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Zhiren(Isaac) Zheng
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Post by Zhiren(Isaac) Zheng on Jul 20, 2015 7:42:22 GMT
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is comparing our consciousness to a virtual simulator where we play out different scenarios and predict what would happen corresponding to different actions. According to the film Brain Burn, "consciousness is a way around pure chance by developing an internalized map of probabilities which can be visualized internally without having to be outsourced prematurely." Also, consciousness can be understood as dissociation. In order to solve this dissociation, we use our internal machination, what we call imagination daydreaming. The reason we ask question about the universe is more about our evolutionary needs as "the best way to survive chance contingencies" is "developing statistically deep understanding of what varying options portend" (Brain Burn). And it is this ability to daydream and visualize the situation in our head without carrying out directly that enhances our chance to survive the nature. From my perspective, our consciousness, as a virtual simulator, can also be compared to a video game. We play the game in our head, trying out different paths and estimating the result before we actually doing it. Each failure eliminates one choice, but it also increases the chance of succeeding in one time in the reality. In a nutshell, consciousness can be regarded as our virtual simulation of the reality.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our brain has developed in a way that will help us to survive and, often time, its means are by tricking us. According to Is the Universe an App, "our brains are tilted in seeing the world at large a certain way, but in so doing it doesn't immediately inform us of this requisite fact" (111). For example, as the book mentions, when we are making the decision of going left or right in a car, it may be common that our unconscious processes has already made the decision. These premade decisions are usually the choices that will put us in a safer position. Besides that, our brains also place deception on us as "Deception is part and parcel of nature and is an intrinsic and necessary feature of human existence" (111). For example, we sometimes fill in an imagery that does not exist. In the experiment conducted by Ronald Siegel, participants were shown a series of slideshow before they took the psychotropic drugs. Because they saw a psychedelic portrait of eyes among the slideshow, their brains filled in a Demon's image which had multiple eye balls staring back at them. Another example is that we always feel like our dreams are "deeply real and rich ith episodic narratives, except when we wake up and soon realize their wholly imaginative nature" (114). Under many conditions, "the brain tricks us into believing its own machinations as something that is not sui generis (115). However, even though these tricks that our brain place on us put an veil on our sense regarding the reality and sometimes hinder our progress on the study of science, "all this trickery does serve one underlying purpose: keeping our organism intact long enough to recapitulate itself" (115).
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Post by vanessamagdaleno on Jul 20, 2015 20:05:53 GMT
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness
It explains human consciousness as a virtual simulation. We dream up things to try and predict our future. We try to predict how our actions will turn out. “Consciousness just plays out probabilities.” (Brain Burn) Instead of acting on impulse, consciousness gives us the space to experiment with a variety of scenarios only in our minds. If we acted on impulse we could face deadly consequences. But if we play with certain scenarios in our heads we can see which one leads to the best possible outcome. When we played out the scenario in our heads we then act accordingly to the one we think best fit for our given environment. This has given us a great advantage to our survival because we can rule out the actions that will lead to our doom. We are “chance giving itself better odds.” (Brain Burns)
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
So, our brain does notice patterns but it cannot detect the actual truth. (Cerebral Mirage) We are plagued with a false sense of knowing and certainty. Our brains fool us. Sometimes our brains fill in spaces in our visual fields so what we think we see might not necessarily be there but our brain convinces us it to be true. Everything we see in the world around us is only a projection of ourselves and we are limited. We are limited by our own skulls. (Cerebral Mirage) We believe our illusions to be true but we are only confusing objectivity with subjectivity. This does benefit us in our genetic survival because it gives our lives meaning. The patterns we notice/interpret about the world around us gives us this deep sense of meaning in life. If we were to see the truth about the world with all of its ugliness why would life be worth living? (Evolution Imperative) Our brain creates this deep sense of reality in our thinking because meaning keeps us alive. (Cerebral Mirage)
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Post by jsayanath on Jul 21, 2015 19:26:13 GMT
Week 4:
1) Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
-What I understood of the virtual stimulation of consciousness is that it helps explain the human conscience. Our conscious helps us make life choices that will help us survive. Without this we won’t be able to make certain decisions and probably even means not live that long. Charles Darwin explained the theory of natural selection and how those functions are needed for survival.
2) How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our generic survival?
- I believe that the brain tricks us in seeing certain illusions. It shows us what it wants to show us until we make a certain conclusion of what it really is. An illusion is only and illusion and not an actual reality. The benefit to our brain is that it will always keep our body stay alive long enough so that the genetic codes can be passed down. The brain ticks people for survival mode and most of our awareness is in our head. As humans we have the better chance of surviving because we have a consciousness and are not like animals that do not have a consciousness. Through consciousness and the apparent simulation it creates, we are essentially tricked into thinking that we have the advantage towards survival by playing out and mentally engaging it alternative scenarios.
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Post by kirvin on Jul 23, 2015 2:38:07 GMT
WEEK FOUR: Neural Philosophy and Consciousness
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
- The virtual stimulation theory of consciousness is the assumption that everything is just an illusion, and nothing is real. In the reading, Is the Universe an App, it explains that our consciousness is a virtual simulator that portrays the world we believe in. In fact, it writes, “Consciousness is a fantastic virtual simulator and because of its inclusivity and insular engineering it has an inherent tendency to believe its own machinations as exterior to itself and not as the byproduct of its own interiority” (ITUAA pg75). This suggests that our consciousness allows us to believe in a world that is created rather than a real world. Also, the film The Disneyland of Consciousness says that “consciousness is a process as fluid as the tons of water cascading down Niagara Falls” (TDC film). This most likely means that whatever the consciousness wants to simulate, it can do so in a very fluid manner. This suggests that it could be very difficult to distinguish what is real and what is a simulation of consciousness. In conclusion, the virtual simulation theory of consciousness is a very fluid process of illusion that paints the world we live in.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
- Indeed, the brain has multiple ways in tricking us for the benefit of or genetic survival. For instance, in order to secure a better chance of survival, our brains will trick us into believing or seeing something that does not exist. In fact the required reading, The Cerebral Mirage the following, “ The brain tricks us into believing something to be real when it is not, provided that such trickery provides with a survival advantage” (TCM 18). This suggest that the ability of our conscious mind is a survival mechanism as crucial to our adrenaline “Fight or flight” response. However, we may not be aware of this trickery in progress, but surely our survival is our ultimate benefit. In fact the book write, “But most tellingly, our sense of a “Unified” field of awareness remains oblivious of all the machinations and shorthand tricks that go on behind the scenes. We are ignorant of the unconscious programs so to say, and are only dutifully conscious of the illusory, but highly beneficial result” (TCM 10). This may mean that although we are not aware of this mental trickery, it is forever present and proves to be an important piece to the survival of the human species.
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Post by Courtney on Jul 23, 2015 5:12:16 GMT
1. Do you think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future?
I have always thought artificial intelligence was a problem, we are becoming too dependent on it. In the first few pages of “Digital Philosophy” we read, “… To put it in literary terms it means that Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is going to mate with George Orwell’s 1984…. As Huxley pointed out we are going to let us ourselves be controlled because we are going to entertain ourselves to death... because the psychological need to be connected is greater than the need to remain privatized.” I have read both of these dystopian novels multiple times and it makes sense. We are becoming dependent on technology and ignorant to using our brains, mental math, learning how to spell properly, tell time on an analog clock, some people don’t even read books to research anymore, because we have the internet and other technology at our finger tips. We are letting something without a conscious, a brain, or a heartbeat for that matter, think for us. That is a problem! In Fahrenheit 451, books were banned, everyone was ignorant and simple, but technology was advanced. In 1984, same thing, everyone was ignorant, had no mind, had no conscious but technology was advanced. All of these dystopian books from before we were born warned us about technology and what harm it can do to us, but people continue to rely heavily on artificial intelligence because it is the easy way out.
2. How has technology impacted your life?
Technology has impacted my life in many positive and many negative ways. For example, GPS. I have a terrible sense of direction, I have lived in Chino Hills for almost a year now and I only know how to get to Mt. SAC, the Shoppes, and Target without a GPS, anything else I am lost. I have never needed a map or know how to read one, because when I started driving smartphones told you where to go. On the contrary, I live seven hours away from my parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews, I use FaceTime and Skype to video chat with them as often as I can to make up for me being so far away. This way I get to see the kids, watch them grow, and “be” at their softball, football, or basketball games while being on the other side of California. Technological advancement has not always worked in my favor though. For example, I prefer to have physical copies of things. I like having cameras- Polaroid and digital, I like having CD’s and vinyl as opposed to downloading it online and having it on my phone, and I especially like books instead of an E-book or PDF file. Every day technology advances, the younger generations become ignorant to the older ways, like myself and GPS.
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Post by jmagallon on Jul 23, 2015 5:47:35 GMT
WEEK FOUR
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
Virtual simulation theory states that the human consciousness is an evolutionary trait that allows us to internally simulate situations. Internally we may decide to act the outcomes that give us beneficial results. In “Is the Universe an App,” there is an article “The Neurology of Self Awareness,” which mentions that “. . . creating an internal simulation of his/her mind—is crucial for survival, earning us the title ‘the Machivellian primate’ (A. Lane and D. Lane 18).” It is this very same virtual simulation that has allowed us to have adapted and survive for so long as the dominant species. We are the only species to have figured out how to take our own habitat with us and develop the required tools. By use our consciousness to simulating our habitats and use of tools so that we can plan how to go about our survival. As Lane states about consciousness, “. . . mammals with higher brain functions to “in source” varying options of how to respond to a disparate array of problems before “out sourcing” them (A. Lane and D. Lane 107).” This trait continues to help humans to this day. For example, man would have not been able to walk on the moon if one did not simulate human survival in space.
Source: “Is the Universe an App.” by Professors Andrea Diem-Lane and David Christopher Lane
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Brain tricks comes from the subconscious part of the mind. Since it comes from that part it means we are not fully aware of how to control it, and instead it naturally occurs without our consent. Why does our brain trick us even if we have no say on the matter? To have a conscious gives us the upper hand in survival, because we can simulate the best outcome. If brain tricks are not something we have the say in simulating, yet we still have this trait, then it must have a positive effect on our survival then. As Professor Lane mentions in "Cerebral Mirage: The Deceptive Nature of Awareness," even if having the mind trick us for a positive reason, such as living longer, we should still be aware of such reaction (Lane 15). One such example of living longer and having different perspectives of what it could have meant is a near death experience (NDE). The experience of an NDE can vary from person to person. As stated by Professor Lane, “That NDE’s are culturally variable is instructive, even if there may well be core elements common to all—from tunnels, lights, and inner sounds (Lane 20).” In the case of Moreau the Catholic school boy who died on the operating table. He had a NDE were he saw a beautiful bike that was promised to him, shortly after he regained consciousness and lived (Lane 18-19). His consciousness sparked a thought of something he wanted to bring him back to live longer and “ensure progeny (Lane 14)”. Just think, a thought of a bike was all it took to revive a body just so it could continue its genetic reproduction. Amazing!
Source: "Cerebral Mirage: The Deceptive Nature of Awareness" by Professor Andrea Diem-Lane
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Post by Gajinda Fonseka on Jul 25, 2015 12:52:34 GMT
Week 5, Question 1:
Yes, I think that artificial intelligence will be a problem in the future. In the book Digital Philosophy, it is said that "we are going to let ourselves be controlled because we are going to entertain ourselves to death". To me this seems to indicate that we would sacrifice our privacy, our freedom, our will, in fact, just about everything to make life more convenient. I , however, must disagree with this statement. In my opinion, human beings, through the ages have shown an extraordinary resistance as well as an amazing partiality to control and rule and people as a whole react negatively to being told what to do and love it when other people do as they are told. The fact that human history is littered with battles and the bloody ruins of empires is enough proof of that. One reason I think that humanity is so in love with technology is that, unlike humans, technology can be counted on to to do the requested job properly and not rebel against an order. So when artificial intelligence becomes a reality....when our technology starts talking back of their own accord....when our equipment starts protesting... how would humanity react? How has humanity reacted before to rebellion and control? I do not think that technology will be so beloved then. It will likely result in a revolution in uses, if not the advisability, of technology. The ideal path for me it seems is borne out by the Zen-Koan at the end of Digital Philosophy - we are opening the gates of hell by drawing closer to true artificial intelligence and we must close those gates and open the gates of heaven by stepping away from artificial intelligence before it is too late.
Week 5, Question 2:
It is better to ask how has technology not impacted my life. It is so much a part of everyone's lives that I cannot imagine life without it. But unlike most people these days and just about everyone my age I am not proficient with technology. When I say a part of my life, I do not mean phones (I am still figuring out that I can call a person by a swiping a contact) or iPads but the everyday items that everyone's seems to take for granted. I am particularly thankful for the refrigerator which keeps my food fresh for far longer than it would keep outside and lets me have cold drinks in this hot summer. I love the the bus card system which lets me take the bus with a swipe of the card instead carry a pocket full of coins (and panicking when I discover I don't have any coins left).I love the computer and Internet which lets me communicate with my friends through Skype and allows me to keep track of my work even when I forget. I am not immersed in technology though. I still prefer to talk to my friends on the phone or face to face as opposed 'chatting' or social messaging. I would rather watch movies and search on the Internet through a desktop computer than my phone. I still prefer gong to the library to research over using the Internet whenever possible. Most of all though I still absolutely love reading physical, paper books as opposed to newfangled contraptions like Nooks and iPads (how could you just convert to iPads like that Professor!!?). So, I think that technology plays a big part in my life but it does not encompass all of it.
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Post by jchang194 on Jul 25, 2015 16:38:51 GMT
Week 5, Question 1: Yes, I think that artificial intelligence will be a problem in the future. In the book Digital Philosophy, it is said that "we are going to let ourselves be controlled because we are going to entertain ourselves to death". To me this seems to indicate that we would sacrifice our privacy, our freedom, our will, in fact, just about everything to make life more convenient. I , however, must disagree with this statement. In my opinion, human beings, through the ages have shown an extraordinary resistance as well as an amazing partiality to control and rule and people as a whole react negatively to being told what to do and love it when other people do as they are told. The fact that human history is littered with battles and the bloody ruins of empires is enough proof of that. One reason I think that humanity is so in love with technology is that, unlike humans, technology can be counted on to to do the requested job properly and not rebel against an order. So when artificial intelligence becomes a reality....when our technology starts talking back of their own accord....when our equipment starts protesting... how would humanity react? How has humanity reacted before to rebellion and control? I do not think that technology will be so beloved then. It will likely result in a revolution in uses, if not the advisability, of technology. The ideal path for me it seems is borne out by the Zen-Koan at the end of Digital Philosophy - we are opening the gates of hell by drawing closer to true artificial intelligence and we must close those gates and open the gates of heaven by stepping away from artificial intelligence before it is too late. Week 5, Question 2: It is better to ask how has technology not impacted my life. It is so much a part of everyone's lives that I cannot imagine life without it. But unlike most people these days and just about everyone my age I am not proficient with technology. When I say a part of my life, I do not mean phones (I am still figuring out that I can call a person by a swiping a contact) or iPads but the everyday items that everyone's seems to take for granted. I am particularly thankful for the refrigerator which keeps my food fresh for far longer than it would keep outside and lets me have cold drinks in this hot summer. I love the the bus card system which lets me take the bus with a swipe of the card instead carry a pocket full of coins (and panicking when I discover I don't have any coins left).I love the computer and Internet which lets me communicate with my friends through Skype and allows me to keep track of my work even when I forget. I am not immersed in technology though. I still prefer to talk to my friends on the phone or face to face as opposed 'chatting' or social messaging. I would rather watch movies and search on the Internet through a desktop computer than my phone. I still prefer gong to the library to research over using the Internet whenever possible. Most of all though I still absolutely love reading physical, paper books as opposed to newfangled contraptions like Nooks and iPads (how could you just convert to iPads like that Professor!!?). So, I think that technology plays a big part in my life but it does not encompass all of it. Extra Credit (In response to Gajinda Foneska) I think it is very interesting when you point out that we like technology and machines because they are able to do a certain task without rebelling against our orders. I do agree with you when you say that if artificial intelligence gets to the point of rebelling against our orders that we will just naturally stop artificial intelligence. Whether that be destroying it or going back to modifying it so that it doesn't rebel again. |
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Post by nicole on Jul 25, 2015 16:58:43 GMT
Week 4 Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness. The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is a theory that believes that since humans cannot live forever, it is possible that we are or will be a complex program. This means that it is possible that the human species has created enough power to imitate the human experience and we are currently living in a computer program. Our “consciousness is a virtual simulator [so] there are times that our dreaming brain can overlap with our waking state and radically confuse us about what is internal and what is external” (101, Is the Universe an App?). Our consciousness can sometimes mix what is real and what is our imagination together. “In certain brain states it is nearly impossible to even recognize our own projections as projections” (101, Is the Universe an App?). The intensity of our projections in different brain states can make it seem like our imagination is a reality. The virtual simulation theory of consciousness makes us wonder if we are actually here or if what we are is just a simulation just like our consciousness. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival? “The world we perceive around us is not as it appears. Rather…our day-to-day reality is a relative construct, built upon a scaffolding of information bits that betray their real origin and causation” (2, Cerebral Mirage). When we remember an event, our brain just remembers the last time we thought about it, not the actual event that happened. Our brain tricks us in many ways. One example would be that of the entire stimulus we have around us in the world, only a small “minute portion of them” gets processed (13, Cerebral Mirage). We benefit from our brains lack of extreme detail because if we were to gain all the information stimulus around us we would have so much unnecessary information stored in a limited space. Another way our brain tricks us is near death experiences. Near death experiences are a great vision when someone dies for a short period of time. These experiences are for our genetic survival because they keep a person’s will to live alive. Extra credit: WEEK FOUR1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
Virtual simulation theory states that the human consciousness is an evolutionary trait that allows us to internally simulate situations. Internally we may decide to act the outcomes that give us beneficial results. In “Is the Universe an App,” there is an article “The Neurology of Self Awareness,” which mentions that “. . . creating an internal simulation of his/her mind—is crucial for survival, earning us the title ‘the Machivellian primate’ (A. Lane and D. Lane 18).” It is this very same virtual simulation that has allowed us to have adapted and survive for so long as the dominant species. We are the only species to have figured out how to take our own habitat with us and develop the required tools. By use our consciousness to simulating our habitats and use of tools so that we can plan how to go about our survival. As Lane states about consciousness, “. . . mammals with higher brain functions to “in source” varying options of how to respond to a disparate array of problems before “out sourcing” them (A. Lane and D. Lane 107).” This trait continues to help humans to this day. For example, man would have not been able to walk on the moon if one did not simulate human survival in space. Source: “Is the Universe an App.” by Professors Andrea Diem-Lane and David Christopher Lane 2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Brain tricks comes from the subconscious part of the mind. Since it comes from that part it means we are not fully aware of how to control it, and instead it naturally occurs without our consent. Why does our brain trick us even if we have no say on the matter? To have a conscious gives us the upper hand in survival, because we can simulate the best outcome. If brain tricks are not something we have the say in simulating, yet we still have this trait, then it must have a positive effect on our survival then. As Professor Lane mentions in "Cerebral Mirage: The Deceptive Nature of Awareness," even if having the mind trick us for a positive reason, such as living longer, we should still be aware of such reaction (Lane 15). One such example of living longer and having different perspectives of what it could have meant is a near death experience (NDE). The experience of an NDE can vary from person to person. As stated by Professor Lane, “That NDE’s are culturally variable is instructive, even if there may well be core elements common to all—from tunnels, lights, and inner sounds (Lane 20).” In the case of Moreau the Catholic school boy who died on the operating table. He had a NDE were he saw a beautiful bike that was promised to him, shortly after he regained consciousness and lived (Lane 18-19). His consciousness sparked a thought of something he wanted to bring him back to live longer and “ensure progeny (Lane 14)”. Just think, a thought of a bike was all it took to revive a body just so it could continue its genetic reproduction. Amazing! Source: "Cerebral Mirage: The Deceptive Nature of Awareness" by Professor Andrea Diem-Lane In response to jmagallon, I don’t agree “we are the only species to have figured out how to take our own habitat with us and develop the required tools”. I do agree however that our trait of higher brain function to “insource” varying options does allow us to advance in many ways. |
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Post by nicole on Jul 25, 2015 19:53:05 GMT
Week 5 Do you think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future? Yes, artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future. “Already almost anybody with a smart phone (android or apple or otherwise) won’t leave home without one and if they do somehow forget their intelligent devices they will invariably turn their cars around to go secure it” (5, Digital Philosophy). This shows that without artificial intelligence playing a huge part in our lives right now, it still has control over what we do. With the new additions of the Google Glasses and Apple Watch, technology has come a long way from the first cell phone and computer. The development of Google Glasses and Apple Watch allow individuals to do almost everything they could on a computer in a very portable and small device. Products like these become very equipped with highly developed artificial intelligence to increase efficiency. Google has been working on a driverless car. This car allows passengers ride in the car from point A to point B without having to do anything but input where they are going. A self-driving car seems to be unreliable but the programming for it has made the car a more timid driver than an aggressive one. If a driverless car became a product to the open market, the amount of accidents would decrease. The idea of a driverless car that decreases the amount of accidents sounds great, but the public would become so dependent on it that they would not bother to learn how to drive so if the time were to come when the public needed to drive themselves, they would not be able to. How has technology impacted your life? Technology has impacted my life in many ways. To start, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my summer and get as much work done if I didn’t have a laptop and Internet to use. I am also highly dependent on my navigation system in my car because without it I wouldn’t be able to get around unless my dad was in the car telling me where to go. I am thankful for the amount of advanced technology I have in my life but at the same time I despise it. At times I wish I were able to have learned a lot of the things I know now without the use of technology. For example, driving around to new places, I am highly dependent on my navigation system and therefore don’t bother learning the street names or which freeway takes me to which place. If I were to learn how to get around to different places by pulling out a big paper map and committing to memory the freeways and big street names I would be able to get to more places without the use of my navigation system. Pulling out a big paper map and learning where to go may be more time consuming at one point but in the long run it would be more beneficial. Extra credit: Week 5, Question 1: Yes, I think that artificial intelligence will be a problem in the future. In the book Digital Philosophy, it is said that "we are going to let ourselves be controlled because we are going to entertain ourselves to death". To me this seems to indicate that we would sacrifice our privacy, our freedom, our will, in fact, just about everything to make life more convenient. I , however, must disagree with this statement. In my opinion, human beings, through the ages have shown an extraordinary resistance as well as an amazing partiality to control and rule and people as a whole react negatively to being told what to do and love it when other people do as they are told. The fact that human history is littered with battles and the bloody ruins of empires is enough proof of that. One reason I think that humanity is so in love with technology is that, unlike humans, technology can be counted on to to do the requested job properly and not rebel against an order. So when artificial intelligence becomes a reality....when our technology starts talking back of their own accord....when our equipment starts protesting... how would humanity react? How has humanity reacted before to rebellion and control? I do not think that technology will be so beloved then. It will likely result in a revolution in uses, if not the advisability, of technology. The ideal path for me it seems is borne out by the Zen-Koan at the end of Digital Philosophy - we are opening the gates of hell by drawing closer to true artificial intelligence and we must close those gates and open the gates of heaven by stepping away from artificial intelligence before it is too late. Week 5, Question 2: It is better to ask how has technology not impacted my life. It is so much a part of everyone's lives that I cannot imagine life without it. But unlike most people these days and just about everyone my age I am not proficient with technology. When I say a part of my life, I do not mean phones (I am still figuring out that I can call a person by a swiping a contact) or iPads but the everyday items that everyone's seems to take for granted. I am particularly thankful for the refrigerator which keeps my food fresh for far longer than it would keep outside and lets me have cold drinks in this hot summer. I love the the bus card system which lets me take the bus with a swipe of the card instead carry a pocket full of coins (and panicking when I discover I don't have any coins left).I love the computer and Internet which lets me communicate with my friends through Skype and allows me to keep track of my work even when I forget. I am not immersed in technology though. I still prefer to talk to my friends on the phone or face to face as opposed 'chatting' or social messaging. I would rather watch movies and search on the Internet through a desktop computer than my phone. I still prefer gong to the library to research over using the Internet whenever possible. Most of all though I still absolutely love reading physical, paper books as opposed to newfangled contraptions like Nooks and iPads (how could you just convert to iPads like that Professor!!?). So, I think that technology plays a big part in my life but it does not encompass all of it. I don't think we would have to step completely away from artificial intelligence as a whole but instead take precautions in how far we want to advance. I do believe that there is a sense of greed and high competition in seeing how intelligent a machine can be created, and with this greed and competition there is someone who always takes it too far. |
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Post by Tyler Van Voorhis on Jul 26, 2015 14:28:29 GMT
Week 5 Do you think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future? I think artificial intelligence will be a major problem in the future. It definitely does have its perks and in ways have made our lives easier but I think in the long run it will be a downfall of society. The new invention google has been investing much time in is the driverless vehicle. This is the perfect example of artificial intelligence because the vehicle is relying only on pre-programmed maps and sensors to perform a specific duty. Let’s say the google car was a great success and now 15 years down the road it is the only thing on the market. Do people still need to learn how to drive? This scares me to think the world could in certain ways get to this point. GPS and mapquest are the most common artificial intelligence used today. I know many people that cannot get from place to place without it. They do not know compass directions or even which way is north. This terrible sense of direction can definitely get you lost if your electronic device ever fails. The amount of reliance people have of artificial intelligence these days will only be hurting them in the future. 2. How has technology impacted your life? Technology has impacted my life in many different ways that I would have never imagined. Beyond the cell phone, computer, and ipad, which we all have. I have found in my flying career technology has nearly changed an industry and how we operate day to day. An example is how technology has changed the way we navigate and communicate through the skies. About 20-30 years ago the pilots were not blessed with GPS, or many of the helpful navigation tools at our expense today. When you first learn to fly “cross-country”, or 50 nautical miles away from your departure airport, you are navigating that journey based on prior data gathered, which is always subject to change, and visual references such as mountains, distinct freeway crossings, etc. Although we have the technology to start flying GPS from the get go, everyone is always taught the basics of navigation before technology. Since technology has evolved the way we navigate through the sky, there is no need for visual reference flying. In the current day most airplanes have some sort of GPS navigating system. These systems has become so advanced through technology that some display your groundspeed, terrain in route of flight, winds, weather, airport information, and the list goes on. Technology has allowed for safer flying conditions and is continuing to advance what was never thought possible. Week 5, Question 1: Yes, I think that artificial intelligence will be a problem in the future. In the book Digital Philosophy, it is said that "we are going to let ourselves be controlled because we are going to entertain ourselves to death". To me this seems to indicate that we would sacrifice our privacy, our freedom, our will, in fact, just about everything to make life more convenient. I , however, must disagree with this statement. In my opinion, human beings, through the ages have shown an extraordinary resistance as well as an amazing partiality to control and rule and people as a whole react negatively to being told what to do and love it when other people do as they are told. The fact that human history is littered with battles and the bloody ruins of empires is enough proof of that. One reason I think that humanity is so in love with technology is that, unlike humans, technology can be counted on to to do the requested job properly and not rebel against an order. So when artificial intelligence becomes a reality....when our technology starts talking back of their own accord....when our equipment starts protesting... how would humanity react? How has humanity reacted before to rebellion and control? I do not think that technology will be so beloved then. It will likely result in a revolution in uses, if not the advisability, of technology. The ideal path for me it seems is borne out by the Zen-Koan at the end of Digital Philosophy - we are opening the gates of hell by drawing closer to true artificial intelligence and we must close those gates and open the gates of heaven by stepping away from artificial intelligence before it is too late. Week 5, Question 2: It is better to ask how has technology not impacted my life. It is so much a part of everyone's lives that I cannot imagine life without it. But unlike most people these days and just about everyone my age I am not proficient with technology. When I say a part of my life, I do not mean phones (I am still figuring out that I can call a person by a swiping a contact) or iPads but the everyday items that everyone's seems to take for granted. I am particularly thankful for the refrigerator which keeps my food fresh for far longer than it would keep outside and lets me have cold drinks in this hot summer. I love the the bus card system which lets me take the bus with a swipe of the card instead carry a pocket full of coins (and panicking when I discover I don't have any coins left).I love the computer and Internet which lets me communicate with my friends through Skype and allows me to keep track of my work even when I forget. I am not immersed in technology though. I still prefer to talk to my friends on the phone or face to face as opposed 'chatting' or social messaging. I would rather watch movies and search on the Internet through a desktop computer than my phone. I still prefer gong to the library to research over using the Internet whenever possible. Most of all though I still absolutely love reading physical, paper books as opposed to newfangled contraptions like Nooks and iPads (how could you just convert to iPads like that Professor!!?). So, I think that technology plays a big part in my life but it does not encompass all of it. EXTRA CREDIT: I am very interested in your reference to how humans would react if artificial intelligence started talking back. I couldn't agree more than once these devices have such knowledge could they really have some sort of a conscious mind. Some devices already tell you that you are wrong. For instance spell check as I'm writing this response. What if you want to spell something a certain way and the spell check won't let you? It already makes suggestions and changes what you have written. What if there was no way of spelling how you would like it to be. This is already an example of how technology is reacting to something we did wrong or not the way artificial intelligence would like it. |
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