Posted by Jonny Trigonometry on November 20, 2003, at 23:57:07
I'm not a smart guy (I scored like a 120 on some generic internet IQ test, and only like a 21 on my act),so I don't believe I'm the right one to ponder this question, but I'll start it regardless. My question is more of an idea to be elaborated upon: Is Consciousness a universal "algorithm," if you will, that manifests as a function of time within a particular "mind-space," formed by semi-stable "solutions" (lifeforms) to the problems presented by the physical world? In other words, is self-awareness the property that defines IQ, but being that nobody learns the same way, is consciousness spread out unequally among humans? In terms of this idea of consciousness as the integral of mass interaction/communication of--In our case, neurons as logical operators--physical phenomena in a constant fashion over time, it's easy to visualize our problem.
Think of a bunch of dominos standing on end arranged in a line, so as to produce "the domino effect" (as is refered to in conversation). Set this imaginary experiment in motion by knocking down the first domino. As you imagine the dominos falling one by one, you can visualize an overall function (or isomorphism) that moves each domino from a standing position to a laying down position (from a starting state to an end state). Step back and don't think of the dominos themselves, but the function over time that moves them from standing up to lying down (that you initiated in the beginning of this thought experiment). It is this form (or "shape") that travels at a constant rate from start to finnish within this line of dominos that I want to use an an analogy of consciousness. In order for it to exist, it logically must first be set in motion, but disregard that fact for now; all you need to know is that the only way it can exist is if there is an "ether" for it to travel within (in this case the dominos), and a time for it to move. Also note, this overall form is not observed in any givin picture of the entire event, it is only observed by viewing the entire system over time.
Much like the above, our minds only exist in continuous time, and within an "ether" of neurons. So these two variables, N=neurons and how they are networked in our case, and T=rate of time upon which the N interact with each other are the only things that define intelligence.
Think back at our analog of dominos. What would make the form (or isomorphism/function that changes each domino from a starting state to an ending sate) different? You guessed it, a difference of the two different variables N and/or T. So if you change the rate of time, the shape of the dominos falling over time will either stretch or shrink. If you change the properties of the objects that provide the "ether" or "mind'space," the form of them interacting over time will be different. In the case of the dominos, if you made the dominos lay on thier longest side, then the shape would be shorter.
Going further:
Let N = neurons in your brain
N! = the number of possible different arrangements of neurons. As is easily understood, this is a very large number. It is possible that two people can have exactly the same personality, but improbable because it would take an ungodly large ammount of time to produce every possible arrangement of N neurons, most likely far more time than the universe will exist. Now, this is really the only factor that differs humans in intelligence from one another--arrangement and number of neurons in our brains--the rate of time upon which the neurons interact doesn't change much from person to person I think, and possibly could be the same depending on how a person defines rate of time (percieved rate vs. actual rate). But rate of time sets humans apart from other intelligence in the universe, because other solar systems than ours will most likely operate at a different rate of time due to the ammount of energy that surrounds them ie. ammount of gravity. *got off on a tangent, my how i amuse myself with math*So, what do ya think? Have I got myself into a huge misconception?
poster:Jonny Trigonometry
thread:281944
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031116/msgs/281944.html