Neuroscience and Physics?

Physics is like an entangled particle of neuroscience - one studies the nature of reality as it is, and the other strives to reveal the machinations and content of our skewed interpretations of reality. They seem inexorably linked; like the yin and yang of science.

For the last fifty years, physicists have been fruitlessly searching for the unified theory that combines general relativity, which explains the behavior of stars and planets, and quantum mechanics, which explains the behavior of atoms, electrons, and quarks. String theory is the leading candidate to solve the problem, but it not only lacks evidence, it lack an experimental paradigm to prove it right or wrong. It is based on elegant formulas, and apparently, the math is beautiful, but the explanation is a bit of a mess. For it to be true, it requires an extra seven dimensions, additional to the four we have now.

String theorists are very attached to their Big Answer - and they are protective over it. How could they not be? They've spent their lives trying to prove this thing correct, so they instinctively attack any voice of dissent.

Well, not to goad, but there is a huge voice lurking - Garrett Lisi, is a ski bum physicist who dropped out of academia for ten years, and recently returned with a unique Theory of Everything. Typically, in the stodgy academic community, he's been met with a lot of resistance from the string theorists who are quick to dismantle his ideas. It should be noted that his theory only needs the four dimensions we live in now.

It's an interesting story about science - I think Lisi (who some call the next Einstein) is onto something with his theory. But I find it disturbing that the old-guard string theorists feel the need to attack it. This idea that the science community holds truth as its #1 priority is a flattering representation at best. In my experience, scientists hold their celebrity and reputation in more esteem than the explanatory power of their discoveries. It's the same in politics, art, and music. Science at least boasts a system of selecting out the bullshit - over time.

The encouraging thing is to see how the internet enables a faster mode of communication and posting theories and studies. Lisi received acclaim and criticism by posting his theory on arXiv, a non-peer-reviewed site on physics and mathematics. Maybe the internet will do to science what it has done to the music industry - remove the dinosaurs and let the highest quality product stand out.

The other interesting facet of physics that relates to neuroconsciousness is how often the most atheistic of physicists sound like they're referring to almost supernatural phenomenon when describing current theories (or like they just dropped acid). It's almost like a cognitive dissonance - sure, you don't believe in God or ghosts, but you're asking me to believe in an infinite number of universes and eleven dimensions? Maybe this is why I like Lisi's theory so much, it appreciates the elegance and reality of nature without having to write a science fiction story to explain it (don't get me wrong, I love the science fiction stories, just not sure I believe them).

I consistently go back and fourth on the idea of a multiverse, which is consonant with quantum physics. The other option is determinism, which basically states there is only one possibility for every outcome, which means fate is real, and free will is an illusion. If I had to chose which of those is true, I have no idea what I'd prefer.

[In an interesting side note, a few psychologists examined the moral implications of determinism. What happens when individuals start to believe they lack free will.]

What's interesting about physics is that discussions on the topic almost serve as a blank canvas for people's predilections and beliefs - from lay person to nobel prize winner. It's very much like religion - it often tries to explain the almost unexplainable. It would be an interesting question to give people the choice: string theory/multiverse vs. determinism - or maybe the third option is "God made it all." Then again, it seems God falls into the determinism category. Certainly, people's answers would elucidate a lot about their character - like a physics/neuroconsciousness rorchach test.

Illusion Times!

Hoping this guy's good on his promise to show a cool new illusion each week. This is the contrast/motion illusion, also known as "lucy in the sky" (note: you do not need acid to see the illusion).

The title of his blog is awesome:

"Illusion Sciences: why are we surprised by only some of the things that we see?"

So cool - always hard to remember that everything in our consciousness is being drawn up and processed by our brains at every second of every day. But there are mistakes everywhere, and the more we see the holes, the better we'll see reality.

Design and The Elastic Mind

Way too much to discuss in one post regarding this amazing exhibit at MOMA in NY. After taking an hour or so to go through it last week, it was great to see their amazing website basically emulates the whole experience - tons of interactive demos with pictures and video. A must see for programmers, nanotechnologists (i don't think that's a word), interactive designers, artists, neuroenthusiasts, medical practitioners, musicians, etc. The future is coming fast and it's sort of freaking me out.

More on this soon...

(Incidentally, if you watch the video below, check out the part about the "afterlife" project - it will make you squirm a little. It's an intriguing idea in principle, but the execution is a bit creepy...)

Is Acid the Solution to War?

Check out these soldiers totally chilaxing on the battle field after being administered LSD. I'm by no means advocating the use of acid...well...except to treat migraines, and to maybe provide us with a little perspective on the absurdity of war. Obviously psychedelics are not something you want to be addicted to - too many false epiphanies and psychological/neurological side effects, but maybe at least a temporary reprieve would help.

How about World Acid Day? Shhh, no one even has to know, we'll just spray it in the air, like the end of Batman Begins (except without the rioting). Okay, shitty idea, but funny video (found on Wired).

Fucking Computers

An elementary step in the progress towards The Singularity as defined by Raymond Kurzweil. A dick mouse, and a program that will respond to the motion of your ocean. Good to know sex is still the main fuel for progress. The Singularity as it's defined in his book is the point at which we won't be able to differentiate between our biology and our technology.

If Mr. Kurzweil is correct, computers will be able to mimic the human mind by 2029. He believes we will have a fully functional understanding of the human brain by then, as well as the computer processing power to simulate it. Given this prediction, he is working on staying as healthy as possible to he can eventually pull a Lawnmower Man, and upload himself, making digital copies so he can live forever. I don't see this happening personally, but it gives me comfort to know that soon I'll at least be able to fuck a computer program.

Elephant Expressionism is Dead

Watch this amazing video of an elephant painting a portrait.



So:

1. Is the video real?
2. If it is, is the elephant just trained to draw that specific picture?
3. If #1 is true, there's also the possibility the elephant is creating the painting freestyle.

Assuming it's just #1, someone is a final cut pro genius. Either that or someone picked up the slack for Jim Henson, and there are two dudes in there animating Mr. Snuffleupagus (yeah, I looked up the spelling for snuffy).

If it's #2, it's still pretty astounding. I'm really surprised an elephant has that kind of dexterity with his trunk; not to mention the visual acuity required to see the details of what he's painting. Whenever he starts a new line, he nails it pretty perfectly.

After watching it a few times, I'd really doubt it's #3. Something about it looks like a set of trained steps, especially since he doesn't really make any discernable mistakes. It's seems like more of a performance than an "expression" per se.

Either way, makes me wonder what the subjective reality of an elephant is like as they're part of the small collection of animals that are known to be fairly intelligent (along with apes and dolphins). Does an elephant feel the need to express himself? And if so, does "elephant holding flower" really give us much to think about?

Relating to Robots

From an article in the Washington Post about military personnel and their relationships with their field robots:

"Ours was called Sgt. Talon," says Sgt. Michael Maxson of the 737th Ordnance Company (EOD). "We always wanted him as our main robot. Every time he was working, nothing bad ever happened. He always got the job done. He took a couple of detonations in front of his face and didn't stop working. One time, he actually did break down in a mission, and we sent another robot in and it got blown to pieces. It's like he shut down because he knew something bad would happen."

Something about the specific filter of human consciousness can turn anything into a real life character - inanimate or not. It's everywhere from Santa Clause, to Father Time, to God, to talking teapots in Disney films. It's an illusion that's generally impossible to see past.

Somehow I doubt the robot knew something bad was going to happen, it's far more likely God decided to spare Sgt Talon at that moment (I kid!).

Two Brains

After swimming with a few dolphins in Jamaica, I learned how they sleep. Only one hemisphere sleeps at a time, so they're never really fully unconscious. Made me wonder what it would be like, as a human, if only one brain hemisphere slept while the other took over all functions.

It's widely known that the left side of the brain is the "planner" and where language is located, and the right connects everything into a coherent picture. It seems on a time scale, the left hemisphere functions with a past and a future, and the right side functions in the ever present NOW.

Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist, had a stroke that effected a large section of her left hemisphere. As soon as she became aware of it she recognized the opportunity she had - a first hand experience of a stroke with a deep understanding of stroke symptoms and the neurological systems effected by stroke.

In a nutshell, she basically started tripping out about how beautiful and connected everything is. Sounds like inhibiting the left hemisphere and inhabiting the right hemisphere is like smoking a good joint. Who knew?