Reality Crowd

It is exciting to think that through technological advances in computers, we may soon be able to simulate the human brain, every cell represented.

This article, published by MIT, describes a project with the goal of modeling 10,000 neurons and 30 million synaptic connections of the neocortical column of a rat. Though only a small component of a mammal’s brain, it is one of the most complex. Researchers feel that they will model the entire brain of a rat within a few years and be able to simulate a human’s brain in about a decade.

According to the article:

By mimicking the behavior of the brain down to the individual neuron, the researchers aim to create a modeling tool that can be used by neuroscientists to run experiments, test hypotheses, and analyze the effects of drugs….

It should be noted that the simulation is being developed specifically for medical research and is not an attempt to create artificial intelligence. Though, seeing that a small portion of the brain can be so accurately constructed leads one to the tantalizing prospect that we may be able to soon create some type of functional model of the entire brain--researchers seem sure of it. Enjoy the article in its entirety:

“A Working Brain Model”
Technology Review-MIT

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The absolute truth of our existence will likely never be discovered. Everything we learn leads to more questions. When our species learned that matter was made of things called atoms, it appeared that we were much closer to understanding the nature of our universe. Soon, however, we learned that atoms are made of quarks and that there are structures and events existing on an even smaller scale. How do we try to make sense of our existence when every answer seems to lead to more questions?

Scientists who make it their life’s work to advance our understanding of the cosmos play a creative role finding answers. They make theories; they use their imaginations. Having a “theory,” though, means that it needs to be tested. If there really is an answer to the nature of our existence how can we be sure that it is even POSSIBLE to test it? If it can’t be tested, then it isn’t science.

That’s where philosophy comes in to save the day. Philosopher Dr. Nick Bostrom offers his own creative proposal to the nature of our existence: We could all be living in a computer simulation. Though only one of an infinite number of possibilities, his idea sparks much discussion, debate, and creative endeavors by others. His clearest argument is based on the premise that eventually the human race will create a computer that is more powerful than all human brains combined. (He is not alone in making this assertion.) Eventually, he believes, we will be able to run computer simulations in such incredible detail that the inhabitants of this simulated place would simply understand their virtual environment as the universe--the only one they’ve ever known.

It is a compelling argument if you accept that humans will eventually be able to make such a simulation. In that case it seems rather likely that we are also simulated. If you would like an expanded view of Bostrom’s Simulation Argument I have posted three links.

New York Times article:
“Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy’s Couch”

The original Simulation Argument by Nick Bostrom:
“Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?”

Popular review of Nick Bostrom’s argument
by Brian Eggleston