Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

Monthly Archive May 2021

human-brain-with-an-implanted-chip-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Human brain with an implanted chip.
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post
Author
News
Date
May 31, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind
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What Will Elon Musk’s Neuralink Really Change, If It Catches On

Neuralink’s computer chip implants may help restore function in people with motor or sensory disabilities
News
May 31, 2021
6
Artificial Intelligence, Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind

Finishing the third and final podcast of the series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks and Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, had a look at entrepreneur Elon Musk’s implanted brain chip venture, the Neuralink: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 14:28 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: Let me end our discussion together by asking you an outlier question. Elon Musk is developing something called Neuralink. It’s a chip which goes into the brain. Its immediate application is going to be for those that are handicapped. It is going to allow them communicate directly to objects that they can’t control normally because of their handicap. Read More ›

honey-bees-on-honeycomb-in-apiary-in-summertime-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
honey bees on honeycomb in apiary in summertime
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post
Author
News
Date
May 31, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Business and Finance
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Can Uplift, a “Hive Mind” Chatbot, Solve Your Business Problems?

Eric Holloway sees the “Uplift” concept as a classic example of “Soylent AI” — borrowing the underlying idea from the classic sci-fi thriller, Soylent Green
News
May 31, 2021
3
Artificial Intelligence, Business and Finance

That’s the claim, forwarded to us by a reader: Uplift is a collective intelligence research project (as well as an instance of an mASI System), in part with the goal of Uplifting humanity through digital transformation, collective intelligence, and governance. From complete automation, technology to outpace your competition, corporate and organizational e-governance. Michael Diverde, “A Unique Machine Intelligence” at The Human Machine Collective Intelligence Research Project (April 15, 2021) According to the Use Case provided, There are preliminary studies (Kelley) that show that AI-supported collective intelligence systems outperform human intellect across the board. Even a group of highly intelligent humans who trained together as a team and performed above the human standard were outpaced by a group of average humans Read More ›

apps-globe
Young man using modern mobile phone
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post
Author
Andrew McDiarmid
Date
May 31, 2021
Categorized
Data Privacy, Ethics, Programming, Surveillance
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Does the Company Selling You Tech Have the Same Worldview As You?

A worldview is how we view the world and our place in it.
Andrew McDiarmid
May 31, 2021
5
Data Privacy, Ethics, Programming, Surveillance

Much of the technology we interact with today is part of a larger group of ecosystems maintained by major tech companies. If you have an iPhone, for example, you’re often more likely to use a Macbook, watch AppleTV, or subscribe to Apple Music. If you shop on Amazon, you might also have their Echo digital assistant or a Ring video doorbell. And if you Chromebook, you’re likely to use Gmail and maybe have a Pixel. Fueled by brand loyalty, tech ecosystems are part of the workings of a healthy free market. But if you’re going to commit to a tech company by being part of their ecosystem, it’s important to compare the worldview of that company to your own and Read More ›

human-skull-with-a-syringe-holds-in-the-mouth-and-vaccine-bottle-on-space-of-brown-paper-bad-side-effect-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Human skull with a syringe holds in the mouth and vaccine bottle on space of brown paper, Bad side effect concept
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post
Author
News
Date
May 31, 2021
Categorized
Ethics, Medicine and Health
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Michael Egnor: Stop Making Killing a Form of Cure

Euthanasia and abortion are not forms of medicine, he says
News
May 31, 2021
5
Ethics, Medicine and Health

Recently, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor pleaded with medical colleagues to take a stronger stand on the rapid normalization of killing as a form of “cure” in our society: The medical profession should take a clear stand on this issue: doctors who deliberately kill — whether by abortion or by physician-assisted suicide or by euthanasia — are not practicing medicine when they kill. Medical practice always entails the maintenance of health, the treatment of disease, and the relief of suffering. Ending the life of a patient or of the child in his mother’s womb is neither the maintenance of health nor treatment of a disease nor the alleviation of any suffering. It is simply the killing of an innocent unwanted child. I Read More ›

cells-under-a-microscope-cell-division-cellular-therapy-3d-illustration-on-a-dark-background-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Cells under a microscope. Cell division. Cellular Therapy. 3d illustration on a dark background
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post
Author
News
Date
May 30, 2021
Categorized
Medicine and Health, Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind
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Why Don’t Changes to Our Bodies Create a Different Consciousness?

The sense of consciousness remains single and united despite ceaseless bodily change
News
May 30, 2021
6
Medicine and Health, Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

In the third podcast of the “Unity of Consciousness” series, Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on unique features of human consciousness, including the question of why there really can’t be two of you. But Dr. Marks asks one final question: If consciousness is simply generated by the body, as materialists think, why don’t changes to our bodies create different consciousnesses? https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 11:06 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: There are cells that change quite a lot. And then there are cells that don’t change a lot, for example, neurons. That is, you keep the same neurons. Read More ›

full-moon-in-a-black-night-sky-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Full moon in a black night sky
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post
Author
News
Date
May 29, 2021
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Arts & Culture, Philosophy, Science
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Sixty Billion Stars. And No Aliens? What Now?

Are we approaching a crisis of faith in ET?
News
May 29, 2021
4
Arts & Culture, Philosophy, Science

At Universe Today, Matt Williams asks if it is time to update the Drake Equation, by which you could settle — in your own mind — how likely the aliens are. It began to be developed nearly sixty years ago at a conference at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. And everyone took for granted that we would be hearing from the aliens soon. That was the basis of Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) — keeping the hope alive. Rather than being an actual means for quantifying the number of intelligent species in our galaxy, the purpose of the equation was meant to frame the discussion on SETI. In addition to encapsulating the challenges facing scientists, Read More ›

3d-rendered-medically-accurate-illustration-of-a-grey-alien-holding-the-earth-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
3d rendered medically accurate illustration of a grey alien holding the earth
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post
Author
News
Date
May 29, 2021
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Environment, Law
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When the Human Race Is Down to Its Final Offer … Sci-fi Saturday

The downbeat human lawyer and the alien corporate lawyer in Final Offer achieve artful comedy by the too-little used technique of witty dialogue, NOT gags
News
May 29, 2021
13
Arts & Culture, Environment, Law

“Final Offer” at DUST by Mark Slutsky (July 19, 2018, 11:23 min) “A down-on-his-luck lawyer awakes in a doorless room to find he’s been selected to negotiate on behalf of the human race.” Review: Henry, a lawyer accustomed to late night barhopping, wakes up in a strange boardroom: “Henry, you have been selected to represent your species in what is almost surely the biggest trade agreement in the history of your planet.” “My planet?” Well, it’s science fiction. The corporate lawyer (Anna Hopkins) announces that her client — an alien the very sight of which causes our hero (Aaron Abrams) to retch — wishes to “acquire” Earth’s oceans. Or appropriate them if a few minutes of negotiations don’t work for Read More ›

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There But For Fortune
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post
Author
News
Date
May 29, 2021
Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
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Life in the Plural: If There Were Two of You, Would “You” Exist?

According to philosopher Angus Menuge, there can’t be two of you, because two things cannot be one thing.
News
May 29, 2021
5
Neuroscience, Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind

In the third podcast of the series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on unique features of human consciousness, including the fact that our experiences are a unity, which has prompted some interesting thought experiments, for example those of Richard Swinburne. But here’s another one: What if there really were two of you? https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 06:49 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: What is the idea of “too many thinkers” in philosophy? Angus Menuge (pictured): The simple view of personal identity is that your soul or your mind is always you. That’s a dualist view. Read More ›

image-catastrophe-on-earth-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Image catastrophe on Earth
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post
Author
News
Date
May 29, 2021
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Religion, Science
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What Would the Ruins of “Eden” Be Like?: Sci-fi Saturday

Scavenging for artifacts on a ruined planet, a space drifter comes across the ruins of a high-tech civilization
News
May 29, 2021
13
Arts & Culture, Religion, Science

“Eden” (2018) at DUST (May 20, 2021) by Kristian Bakstad, 11:51 min: “Deep in the recesses of space, a lone scavenger hunts for a valuable artifact on a desolate planet. When he discovers an abandoned facility, he ventures inside hoping for his big payday; but instead encounters a mad man and the remnants of a religious cult.” Review: This one got a lot of negative reviews but the studio has been around for a while, so let’s have another look. The lead character (Christoff Lundgren) is agreeably scuzzy, batting around in space. The opening portrays his lifestyle well: His tracking system detects something that might be evidence of a ruined advanced ET civilization to scavenge. He needs something he can Read More ›

woman-wearing-gloves-with-biohazard-chemical-protective-suit-and-mask-she-crossed-her-arms-with-unhappy-face-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Woman wearing gloves with biohazard chemical protective suit and mask. She crossed her arms with unhappy face.
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post
Author
Heather Zeiger
Date
May 28, 2021
Categorized
Medicine and Health, Science, Technocracy
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Covid-19 Lab Leak Theory Upgraded from Conspiracy to Plausible

Many scientists were discouraged from openly discussing the possibility of a lab leak, which hindered serious investigation
Heather Zeiger
May 28, 2021
12
Medicine and Health, Science, Technocracy

Could the SARS-CoV-2 virus have originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology? The public was informed, until quite recently, that the “scientific consensus” was that the virus that causes COVID-19 likely passed from animal to human and was neither designed nor accidentally released from a lab in Wuhan. However, this “consensus” has turned out to be anything but. Several scientists have voiced their concern over the lack of transparency on the part of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), imploring that the “lab leak” hypothesis should not be thrown out. They were largely ignored. Some scientists have even said that they experienced “very intense, very subtle pressures” to avoid advancing the lab leak theory. It’s advancing anyway, as more evidence accumulates. Read More ›

divided-young-couple-busy-with-their-smartphones-each-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Divided young couple busy with their smartphones each
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post
Author
Andrew McDiarmid
Date
May 28, 2021
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Data Privacy, Surveillance
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The (Magnetic) Force Is Strong With Apple — Here’s How to Resist

To keep the magnetic force in check between Big Tech and us, we must first establish who is boss over our technology
Andrew McDiarmid
May 28, 2021
5
Arts & Culture, Data Privacy, Surveillance

With the iPhone 12, Apple has introduced a new line of accessories that use magnetism to quickly attach and charge the phone. The company has used magnets for years to connect charging adapters and cases. Now they’re adding it to more products with the bet that iPhone users will find the lure of magnetic connection irresistible. As a natural phenomenon, magnetism is as old as dirt and yet it still amazes us when we see it in action. There’s another kind of magnetism at work here, too. It’s the pull of attraction between Apple’s devices and the people who use them. Like many longtime Apple customers, I have felt this attraction since 2008 when I purchased my first iPhone, the 3G. Read More ›

double-exposure-a-curly-haired-brunette-is-standing-in-the-doorway-of-the-theater-poster-events-personality-psychology-cloak-and-reincarnation-fasting-alcoholic-fears-bifurcation-made-in-camera-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Double exposure. A curly-haired brunette is standing in the doorway of the theater. Poster events, personality psychology. Cloak and reincarnation. Fasting alcoholic fears. Bifurcation. Made in camera
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post
Author
News
Date
May 27, 2021
Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind
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Why Do We Stay the Same Person Over Time? Why Not Split Up?

It would be a total fluke if all the different clouds of atoms that produce your brain would always produce the same consciousness. But they do
News
May 27, 2021
6
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

In the third podcast of the series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on unique features of human consciousness, including the fact that our experiences are a unity, despite being scattered across many brain regions and even if our brains are split in half: But now let’s do some thought experiments, as proposed by Oxford philosopher Richard Swinburne: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 04:55 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Angus Menuge: There’s another problem raised by [philosopher] Richard Swinburne: He imagines that he’s going to have an operation where each of his cerebral hemispheres is placed in another person. So Read More ›

human-brain-model-for-education-in-laboratory-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Human brain model for education in laboratory.
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post
Author
News
Date
May 27, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Natural Intelligence, Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind
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Intelligence: A Thousand Brains — or a Thousand Theories?

What does the iconic mammalian neocortex do that equivalent systems in birds and octopuses can’t do? That’s not clear
News
May 27, 2021
6
Artificial Intelligence, Natural Intelligence, Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

Jeff Hawkins, inventor of PalmPilot (a smartphone predecessor) and co-founder of Numenta (2005), does not lack confidence. After an interview with him in connection with his new book, A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence (Basic Books 2021), Will Douglas Heaven tells us at MIT Review, “Neuroscientist and tech entrepreneur Jeff Hawkins claims he’s figured out how intelligence works—and he wants every AI lab in the world to know about it”: He’s not the first Silicon Valley entrepreneur to think he has all the answers—and not everyone is likely to agree with his conclusions. But his ideas could shake up AI. Will Douglas Heaven, ““We’ll never have true AI without first understanding the brain”” at MIT Technology Review (March Read More ›

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Various expressions
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post
Author
News
Date
May 26, 2021
Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind
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How Split-Brain Surgery Underlines the Unity of Consciousness

At one time, some thought that if the brain were split, consciousness would be too, but that did not turn out to be true
News
May 26, 2021
6
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

In the third podcast of a series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on unique features of human consciousness. They started with the fact that our experiences are a unity despite being scattered across many brain regions. But it’s a remarkable fact that our consciousness remains single even when our brains are split in half: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 03:04 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: Let’s talk about the split brain operation where a neurosurgeon goes in and separates the right and left hemispheres. As I understand it, the signal for the epileptic fits starts on Read More ›

ai cubicles.jpg
3D rendering of a conceptual images of office cubicles where workers where replaced by artificial intelligence.
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post
Author
Stephen Berger
Date
May 26, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Intelligence
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Will AI Ever Replace Human Beings? Why Do You Ask?

A better question might be: Why do we want to know the future of artificial intelligence?
Stephen Berger
May 26, 2021
9
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Intelligence
The question of whether a machine can ever fully replace a human can only have one, predefined answer. My question is, why bother asking the question? You already know the only answer you will accept! Read More ›
black triangle colors.jpg
Couleur
Type
post
Author
Andrew McDiarmid
Date
May 26, 2021
Categorized
Data Privacy, Programming, Surveillance
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How Google’s Chromebook Erodes Your Digital Freedom

A Chromebook is designed to serve up Google services, allowing Google outsized control of your computing experience and your digital identity.
Andrew McDiarmid
May 26, 2021
6
Data Privacy, Programming, Surveillance

This month, Chromebook turns ten years old. It’s a good time to take a look at Google’s latest Chromebook offering and show you why you can do better. Much better. Although the Pixelbook Go has a hefty price tag and is lighter, thinner, and faster than ever, it’s still just a Chromebook. Here’s why using a Chromebook weakens your computing power, erodes your digital freedom, and reduces your ability to learn and think. “I’ve got the power,” goes the famous 90’s song by Snap!, but you wouldn’t be able to sing that with confidence holding a Chromebook. Somewhere between netbook and notebook, the Chromebook is a physical manifestation of the Google ecosystem, giving customers who already use Google services a Read More ›

restaurant-automation-service-concept-robot-waiter-serving-a-tray-with-a-bottles-and-wine-glass-two-wheels-robotic-character-on-yellow-wall-gray-floor-background-copy-space-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Restaurant automation service concept. Robot waiter serving a tray with a bottles and wine glass. Two wheels robotic character on yellow wall, gray floor background. copy space
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post
Author
Gary Smith and Jeffrey Funk
Date
May 26, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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A World Without Work? Don’t Hold Your Breath

Predictions of mass unemployment caused by robots continue to be wildly inaccurate
Gary Smith and Jeffrey Funk
May 26, 2021
9
Artificial Intelligence

Will we soon be sitting on couches watching reality TV shows while robots work 24/7 doing all of the work humans used to do? The idea that robots will replace most human labor has been around for almost 100 years and has become more popular with each new advance, from sensors and microprocessors to enterprise software, data analytics, and AI. The latest wave of robot hysteria was tweaked by The Singularity is Near in 2005, emboldened by Race Against the Machine in 2012, and sent over the top by The Second Machine Age and The Rise of Robots in 2016, and A World Without Work in 2020, all best sellers. A World Without Work was shortlisted for the Financial Times & McKinsey 2020 Business Book of the Year, in addition Read More ›

this-is-the-state-capitol-building-it-has-a-large-concrete-stairway-leading-up-to-it-with-large-columns-holding-up-the-facade-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
This is the State Capitol building. It has a large concrete stairway leading up to it with large columns holding up the facade.
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post
Author
Caitlin Cory
Date
May 26, 2021
Categorized
Censorship, Law, Social Media
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Florida Governor Signs Bill Reining in Big Tech

The bill Governor DeSantis signed is the first in the nation to ban social media companies from deplatforming political candidates
Caitlin Cory
May 26, 2021
5
Censorship, Law, Social Media

In the current national battle between Big Tech and Big Government, a new Florida law will punish social media companies for discriminating against political viewpoints and deplatforming political candidates. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 7072 into law on Monday. The legislation protects Florida citizens and political candidates from inequitable viewpoint censorship. “Now more than ever, social media has really become the twenty-first century public square,” John Snyder, a Representative in the Florida House, told Mind Matters News. “It’s evolved from what used to be just a platform where people could post thoughts and pictures to now this is a tool that people rely on to communicate with their family, to talk with their friends, to air their grievances, and really to Read More ›

happy-family-enjoying-picnic-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Happy family enjoying picnic
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post
Author
News
Date
May 25, 2021
Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind
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Mystery: Our Brains Divide Up Events But We Experience Them Whole

That’s one of the conundrums of consciousness
News
May 25, 2021
3
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

In the third podcast of the series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on some of the unique features of human consciousness, starting with its unity. https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 01:04 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: We hear of “Dr. Jekyll–Mr. Hyde” dual personalities but most of us only have one consciousness. What is the so-called unity of consciousness? It’s an area in philosophy, is that right? Angus Menuge (pictured): Going back a very long way. It’s mentioned by Plato and Aristotle, and later on by Kant… We can have many experiences concurrently. So when you Read More ›

prosthetic arm fist.jpg
Prosthetic robotic arm with palm in fist, 3d rendering on black background
Type
post
Author
News
Date
May 25, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Business and Finance, Economics, Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind
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Nobel Prize Economist Tells The Guardian, AI Will Win

But when we hear why he thinks so, don’t be too sure
News
May 25, 2021
6
Artificial Intelligence, Business and Finance, Economics, Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind

Nobel Prize-winning economist (2002) Daniel Kahneman, 87 (pictured), gave an interview this month to The Guardian in which he observed that belief in science is not much different from belief in religion with respect to the risks of unproductive noise clouding our judgment. He’s been in the news lately as one of the authors of a new book, Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment, which applies his ideas about human error and bias to organizations. He told The Guardian that he places faith “if there is any faith to be placed,” in organizations rather than individuals, for example. Curiously, he doesn’t seem to privilege science organizations: I was struck watching the American elections by just how often politicians of both Read More ›