#18: Brain WiFi and the Future of Reasoning
From 'Homo-Sapiens' to now becoming 'Techno-Sapiens'
Disclaimer: This edition was written by our community member, Varun Choraria.
Dear Reader,
At the very outset, we’re hoping you’re safe and sound. On #general, we’ve been sharing some resources for tackling COVID-19, and it’s been pinned to the channel. Feel free to contribute to it, for the benefit of all.
You can also check out Edition #17, solely dedicated to some resources we’d compiled.
At various inflexion points of our adult lives, we tend to contemplate the nature of our soul. Our brains comprise of neurons, which help transmit information from one part of the brain to another. How does a transmitting network like that, manage to generate human awareness and power of thought?
Read on to find out!
If you’ve got constructive feedback to share- I’m easily reachable on slack or on Twitter.
Week in Review: Highlights of our community
GTaank, in #general, inquired about how can one maintain a balanced mental health in such distressing times. Paras suggested diverting your energies to working more, and Praful’s team dedicates 30 minutes everyday to catchup on IPL or Netflix. Rishi suggested to experiment with a mix of healthy solitude, and coming out of it to help a someone, or an organisation, so as to allow yourself time to heal while also being an active contributor. My own personal recommendation, is this playlist that is not just soothing to watch, but can help you gain perspective on a thing or two to help find mental clarity.
Brain WiFi and the Future of Reasoning
At various inflexion points of our adult lives, we tend to contemplate the nature of our soul. Our brains comprise of neurons, which help transmit information from one part of the brain to another. How does a transmitting network like that, manage to generate human awareness and power of thought?
Each ‘firing’ event involves the movement of electrically charged atoms called ions in and out of the neurons. That movement triggers a kind of chain reaction that travels from one nerve cell to another via logical rules, roughly analogous to the AND, OR and NOT Boolean operations performed by today’s computer gates, in order to generate outputs such as speech.
Yet information-processing clearly isn’t sufficient for conscious knowing. Computers process lots of information yet have not exhibited the slightest spark of consciousness.
So really, where is our mind then? Our head hosts our brain, so where is the “mind”? We use our minds to remember stuff, plan new things, and contemplate. But we also use our electronic devices to achieve the same goals.
An interesting idea could potentially be that our minds are far larger than the embodiment of our brain tissues and our physical bodies. What brings the “mind” to life is communication, and so when you share thoughts and ideas, or say- write a book- the idea itself, and the people who propagate it, become an extension of your mind.
Our brain has taken years to evolve, so it becomes a fully functional entity of reason. But reason, in itself, evolves at breakneck speeds. With the next 4 decades, we’re expected to build an equivalent of New York City every month.
Curious to know what the future of reasoning will be like? The don’t miss this brilliant 30-minute episode.
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