Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagFeatured

human-brain-on-technology-background-represent-artificial-intelligence-and-cyber-space-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
human brain on technology background represent artificial intelligence and cyber space concept
Type
post
Author
Michael Egnor
Date
March 28, 2021
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , ,

Why “the Mind Is Just a Computation” Is a Fatally Flawed Idea

Much modern neuroscience can be characterized as a collection of weak metaphors about the mind and brain. This is one of them
Michael Egnor
March 28, 2021
4
Philosophy of Mind

The computational theory of mind (CTM) is the theory that the mind is a computation (calculation) done by the brain. That is, the mind works by rule-based manipulation of symbols, which is what a computer does — computation. Thus our mental states are computational states. Several prominent philosophers have held this view, notably Hilary Putnam (1926–2016) and Jerry Fodor (1935–2017) , and more recently Matthias Scheutz, among several others. I believe that the computational model of the mind is fatally flawed. Here are some reasons: The most obvious reason is that all mental states have meaning — that is, they are intentional. Intentionality means that our thoughts are about something — there is always an object to which a thought Read More ›

matrix-made-up-of-math-formulas-and-mathematical-equations-illustration-rendering-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
matrix made up of math formulas and mathematical equations - illustration rendering
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 26, 2021
Categorized
Mathematics
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

Getting To Know the Unknowable Number (More or Less)

Only an infinite mind could calculate each bit
News
March 26, 2021
10
Mathematics

In this week’s podcast, “The Chaitin Interview IV: Knowability and Unknowability,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician Gregory Chaitin on his discovery of the “unknowable number.” How can a number that is unknowable exist? Some numbers go on indefinitely (.999999999… ) but we can describe them accurately even if they don’t seem to come to an end anywhere. Some numbers, like pi (π), are irrational — pi goes on and on but its digits form no pattern. However, what does it mean to say that a number exists if it is unknowable? How do we even know it exists? That’s the topic of this series, based on the fourth podcast between Dr. Marks and Gregory Chaitin. Note: Read More ›

afro-american-boy-hiding-in-ruined-building-escaped-from-dysfunctional-family-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Afro-american boy hiding in ruined building, escaped from dysfunctional family
Type
post
Author
Michael Egnor
Date
March 23, 2021
Categorized
Ethics, Medicine and Health
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Woke Medicine Is Very Bad for Everyone’s Health

The issues raised by Critical Race Theory are real but I believe that the diagnosis is deeply flawed
Michael Egnor
March 23, 2021
7
Ethics, Medicine and Health

Critical Race Theory and claims about structural racism in American society are infiltrating medical care and education. There is a major effort in medical education today to indoctrinate students and resident physicians into Critical Theory. This is, in my view, a deeply misguided approach.The issues raised by Critical Race Theory are real but I believe that the diagnosis is deeply flawed. The question we face is: how can we protect medical education and practice from this latest iteration of Marxism, and at the same time work to improve deficiencies in education and medical care that Critical Race Theorists correctly point out? It is undeniable that there are structural problems in medicine. Many of these problems impede good medical care, especially Read More ›

castaway-in-bureaucracy-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Castaway in bureaucracy
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 23, 2021
Categorized
Mathematics, Peer Review, Science
Tagged
, , , , , , , , ,

Gregory Chaitin on How Bureaucracy Chokes Science Today

He complains, They’re managing to make it impossible for anybody to do any real research. You have to say in advance what you’re going to accomplish. You have to have milestones, reports
News
March 23, 2021
10
Mathematics, Peer Review, Science

In last week’s podcast, “The Chaitin Interview III: The Changing Landscape for Mathematics,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin on how Stephen Wolfram’s software has taken much of the drudgery out of math. At the same time, in Chaitin’s view, a threat looms: A new, more bureaucratic, mindset threatens to take the creativity out of science, technology, and math: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-126-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 19:45 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: I was sitting down tallying, I think, the intellectual giants that have introduced new mathematical ideas, brand new. I was thinking of people like Claude Shannon, Lotfi Zadeh, yourself… I don’t know if we Read More ›

technician-standing-in-front-of-giant-circuitboard-slight-zoom-effect-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
technician standing in front of giant circuitboard, slight zoom effect
Type
post
Author
Eric Holloway
Date
March 23, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Programming
Tagged
, , , , ,

For Computers, Smart Is Not the Same Thing as Fast

In response to a reader’s good question …
Eric Holloway
March 23, 2021
6
Artificial Intelligence, Programming

In a recent article, I argued that computers are not, and never can become smarter. An insightful reader wrote to ask, “What if smartness is defined by speed?” This is a good point. The debate revolves around the definition of “smart.” and if we define “smart” as “fast”, then since computers are certainly getting faster they will necessarily become smarter. Such a definition has intuitive appeal. Think of the world’s best chess player versus a beginner. One of the big distinctions is the chess expert will choose a good move more quickly than a beginner, and in general will play faster than a beginner. As such, play speed demonstrates a certain level of intelligence on the part of the player. Read More ›

online-education-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Online education concept
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 22, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Programming
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , ,

How Stephen Wolfram Revolutionized Math Computing

Wolfram has not made computers creative but he certainly took a lot of the drudgery out of the profession
News
March 22, 2021
11
Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Programming

In last week’s podcast, “The Chaitin Interview III: The Changing Landscape for Mathematics,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin on many things mathematical, including why math or engineering geniuses (Elon Musk came to mind, of course) can’t just follow the rules. This week, we look at Stephen Wolfram’s new program that checks your hard math. What can — and can’t — it do for mathematicians? https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-126-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 13:22 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Gregory Chaitin: Now, there is what I regard as a piece of AI, so it might be interesting to talk about it. My friend Stephen Wolfram (pictured), the system he’s created, Read More ›

eye-close-up-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Eye close up
Type
post
Author
Michael Egnor
Date
March 21, 2021
Categorized
Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

What if only part — not all — of your brain were transplanted?

You might end up seeing double out of an eye a thousand miles away
Michael Egnor
March 21, 2021
7
Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind

Recently, we’ve been discussing the concept of total or partial human brain transplants. What about transplanting an eye and the parts of the visual cortex it needs from one person to another? Which of the two people would be seeing out of that eye? The answer is not simple. As noted earlier, researchers may never succeed in transplanting both an eye and the hemisphere brain parts that the eye needs to function from one human being to another. But let’s assume a science fiction scenario — a thought experiment — in which there is an exchange. Jack gets Mary’s right eye/hemisphere and Mary gets Jack’s right eye/hemisphere. Both parties, who live on different parts of the planet, survive. For simplicity, Read More ›

spacex-concept-spacecraft-in-orbit-of-the-earth-spacex-elon-musk-mars-programm-3d-render-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
SpaceX Concept Spacecraft in orbit of the Earth. SpaceX Elon Musk Mars programm 3d render
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 21, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Programming
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Elon Musk and Other Geniuses Can’t Afford To Follow Rules

Mathematician Gregory Chaitin explains why Elon Musk is, perhaps unexpectedly, his hero
News
March 21, 2021
12
Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Programming

In last week’s podcast, “The Chaitin Interview III: The Changing Landscape for Mathematics,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin on many things mathematical, including why great books on math, advancing new theorems, aren’t written much any more. This week, we look at why geniuses like Musk (whose proposed Mars Orbiter is our featured image above) simply can’t just follow the rules, for better or worse: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-126-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 7:57 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Gregory Chaitin: Look at Elon Musk (pictured). He’s my great hero. He’s a wonderful engineer and he’s a wonderful entrepreneur and he doesn’t follow the rules. Robert J. Marks: He doesn’t, Read More ›

black-mathematics-board-with-formulas-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
black mathematics board with formulas
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 20, 2021
Categorized
Mathematics, Peer Review
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Don’t We See Many Great Books on Math Any More?

Decades ago, Gregory Chaitin reminds us, mathematicians were not forced by the rules of the academic establishment to keep producing papers, so they could write key books.
News
March 20, 2021
9
Mathematics, Peer Review

In our most recent podcast, “The Chaitin Interview III: The Changing Landscape for Mathematics,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin on many things mathematical, including whether math is invented or discovered. This time out, Chaitin talks about why he thinks great books on math, advancing new theorems, aren’t written much any more: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-126-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 02:49 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: You don’t hear the word “scholarship” very much anymore in academia. Gregory Chaitin: And people don’t write books. In the past, some wonderful mathematicians like G. H. Hardy (1877–1947, pictured in 1927) would write wonderful books like A Mathematician’s Apology (1940) Read More ›

red-and-blue-spiral-fractal-background-image-illustration-vortex-repeating-spiral-pattern-symmetrical-repeating-geometric-patterns-abstract-background-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Red and Blue Spiral Fractal Background Image, Illustration - Vortex repeating spiral pattern, Symmetrical repeating geometric patterns. Abstract background
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 19, 2021
Categorized
Mathematics, Peer Review, Philosophy
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

Mathematics: Did We Invent It Or Did We Merely Discover It?

What does it say about our universe if the deeper mathematics has always been there for us to find, if we can?
News
March 19, 2021
7
Mathematics, Peer Review, Philosophy

In this week’s podcast, “The Chaitin Interview III: The Changing Landscape for Mathematics,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin (pictured) on how math presents us with a challenging philosophical question: Does math image deep truth about our universe? Or do we just make up these math rules in our own minds to help us understand nature? https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-126-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 00:39 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Gregory Chaitin: Deep philosophical questions have many answers, sometimes contradictory answers even, that different people believe in. Some mathematics, I think, is definitely invented, not discovered. That tends to be trivial mathematics — papers that fill in much-needed gaps because Read More ›

a-man-using-digital-tablet-with-building-hologram-and-internet-media-icons-smart-city-5g-internet-and-networking-technology-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
a man using digital tablet with building hologram and internet media icons. Smart city, 5g, internet and networking technology concept
Type
post
Author
Caitlin Cory
Date
March 18, 2021
Categorized
Business and Finance, Censorship, Data Privacy, Law
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Nevada Announces New Cities in State To Be Run By Big Tech

The zones promise technological freedom, but what are the dangers to handing so much political power to big corporations?
Caitlin Cory
March 18, 2021
5
Business and Finance, Censorship, Data Privacy, Law

Nevada is courting technological business by offering them the opportunity to develop cities independent of government regulation. In his State of the State address on January 19th, Nevada Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak announced proposed legislation to create “Innovation Zones” in order “to jumpstart the state’s economy by attracting technology firms.” The long-term vision for these Innovation Zones is a county independent of local government, run solely by a technological corporation for the purpose of pursuing advanced technology without the red tape of bureaucracy. The proposed legislation draft calls “traditional forms of local government” “inadequate” in their ability “to provide the flexibility and resources conducive to making the State a leader in attracting and retaining new forms and types of businesses…” Read More ›

spiral-background-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Spiral Background.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 16, 2021
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Mathematics
Tagged
, , , , , , , , ,

Hard Math Can Be Entertaining — With the Right Musical Score!

Gregory Chaitin discusses with Robert J. Marks the fun side of solving hard math problems, some of which come with million-dollar prizes
News
March 16, 2021
8
Arts & Culture, Mathematics

In last week’s podcast,, “The Chaitin Interview II: Defining Randomness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin on his method of describing true randomness:. If no theory is simpler than the data you are trying to explain, then the data is random. They also discussed the work of true randomness but also on how Ray Solomonoff (1926–2009), another algorithmic information theory founder, who pursued the “shortest effective string of information that describes an object.” But now, for a lighter touch, we learn that a musical comedy was made of Fermat’s Last Theorem. https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-125-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 19:24 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: If you Read More ›

the-first-model-of-the-computational-mechanism-is-an-arithmometer-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
The first model of the computational mechanism is an arithmometer.
Type
post
Author
Eric Holloway
Date
March 16, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Programming
Tagged
, , , ,

Computers Are Getting Faster But Are They Getting Smarter? No.

Computers are Turing machines, limited to operations that can be completely understood in relation to their programming
Eric Holloway
March 16, 2021
3
Artificial Intelligence, Programming

Won’t quantum computers be smarter than regular ones? No. Still No. What about optical computing, computing with DNA, or some other exotic form of computation? Always No. A skeptical reader might ask, Why such a definitive answer? How do you deal with the spectacular performance of deep learning? What about AlphaGo Zero? What about Watson? What about the infamous Deep Blue? What about quantum supremacy? Don’t these examples all disprove your point? No. All forms of computation past, present, and future will be physical. And all physical phenomena can be modeled by a Turing machine (pictured). No matter how fast the computer runs, the computer will never be more powerful than a Turing machine. A Turing machine consists of five Read More ›

real-php-code-developing-screen-programing-workflow-abstract-algorithm-concept-lines-of-php-code-visible-under-magnifying-lens-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Real Php code developing screen. Programing workflow abstract algorithm concept. Lines of Php code visible under magnifying lens.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 15, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Programming
Tagged
, , , , , , , , ,

How did Ray Solomonoff Kickstart Algorithmic Information Theory?

He started off the long pursuit of the shortest effective string of information that describes an object
News
March 15, 2021
10
Artificial Intelligence, Programming

In last week’s podcast,, “The Chaitin Interview II: Defining Randomness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin on how best to describe true randomness but also on what he recalls of Ray Solomonoff (1926–2009), described in his obit as the “Founding Father of algorithmic information theory.” https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-125-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 10:30 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Gregory Chaitin (pictured): Ray Solomonoff was interested in prediction but I was more interested in looking at a given string of bits and asking, does it have structure or not, and the incompleteness results regarding this question. For example, most strings of bits have no structure, according to this definition. They Read More ›

human head diagramatic.jpg
Anatomy human body model. Part of human body model with organ system.
Type
post
Author
Michael Egnor
Date
March 14, 2021
Categorized
Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , ,

Are Human Brain Transplants Even Possible?

What would be the outcome if one person received transplants from the brains of others? If it’s not possible, there may be a good reason why not
Michael Egnor
March 14, 2021
7
Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind

Earlier this week, I discussed the work of Dr. Robert White, a neurosurgeon in the mid-20th century who did extensive research on head transplants in animals. The operation sometimes worked, most notably in monkeys. But it has never been done in humans, mostly because head transplantation would mean cutting the spinal cord, which would cause complete and permanent paralysis. The most reasonable perspective on the soul is that it is the active principle of the body — that is, the soul is what the body does. Thus soul follows function. From this perspective, I infer that after a head transplant, I would see with my original eyes, hear with my original ears, etc. If I were able to move my Read More ›

infinite-random-numbers-original-3d-rendering-background-technology-and-science-concepts-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Infinite random numbers, original 3d rendering background, technology and science concepts
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 12, 2021
Categorized
Mathematics, Programming
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chaitin’s Discovery of a Way of Describing True Randomness

He found that concepts from computer programming worked well because, if the data is not random, the program should be smaller than the data
News
March 12, 2021
12
Mathematics, Programming

In this week’s podcast, “The Chaitin Interview II: Defining Randomness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin on randomness. It’s a subject on which Chaitin has thought deeply since his teenage years (!), when he published a journal paper on the subject. How do we measure randomness? Chaitin begins by reflecting on his 1969 paper: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-125-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 1:12 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Gregory Chaitin: In particular, my paper looks at the size of computer programs in bits. More technically you ask, what is the size in bits of the smallest computer program you need to calculate a given digital object? That’s called the program Read More ›

denim-jean-production-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
denim jean production
Type
post
Author
Heather Zeiger
Date
March 11, 2021
Categorized
Business and Finance, Economics, Ethics, Global Technology
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In China, Forced Uyghur Labor Produces Many Fashionable Products

Industries such as fashion and solar panels rely heavily on supplies from detention centers and concentration camps in China
Heather Zeiger
March 11, 2021
8
Business and Finance, Economics, Ethics, Global Technology

China has been called the “world’s factory.” American companies like Apple, may assemble their tech in the U.S., but the parts are made elsewhere, including Xinjiang, China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region). Industries such as fashion and solar panels also rely heavily on Xinjiang for their supply lines. Reports from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in the U.S., as well as testimonials from Uyghurs, show that many such factories in Xinjiang involve the forced labor of Uyghurs in what are called “vocational training schools.” These vocational training schools are more appropriately described as detention centers. In many cases, they are essentially concentration camps. Many Uyghurs are also sent from Xinjiang to other Read More ›

electrocardiogram-in-hospital-surgery-operating-emergency-room-showing-patient-heart-rate-with-blur-team-of-surgeons-background-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Electrocardiogram in hospital surgery operating emergency room showing patient heart rate with blur team of surgeons background
Type
post
Author
Michael Egnor
Date
March 10, 2021
Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Are Head Transplants Soul Transplants?

Specifically, if your head were transplanted, would your soul go with it?
Michael Egnor
March 10, 2021
7
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

Wired offers a fascinating article about Dr. Robert White, a neurosurgeon in the mid-20th century who was famous for his extensive research on head transplants. He transplanted heads of various animals, often unsuccessfully (many animals died) but with some success, particularly with monkeys. The medical, ethical, and sociological issues are interesting in themselves, but I’ll focus here on the metaphysical issues. Specifically, if your head is transplanted, does your soul go with it? First, it worth noting that head transplantation is difficult surgery but doable. We know how to sew blood vessels together, how to fuse spinal bones, how to attach tracheas and muscles and peripheral nerves. Transplantation of an entire head (or an entire body, depending on your perspective) Read More ›

5g-network-internet-mobile-wireless-business-concept5g-standard-of-modern-signal-transmission-technology-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
5G Network Internet Mobile Wireless Business concept.5G standard of modern signal transmission technology.
Type
post
Author
Stephen Berger
Date
March 10, 2021
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy of Mind
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , ,

How 5G Is Shaped By Narrative and Myth

Our perspective powerfully influences how we see things
Stephen Berger
March 10, 2021
7
Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy of Mind

We all use narratives and sometimes myths to organize our thinking. According to WikiDiff, … the difference between narrative and myth is that narrative is the systematic recitation of an event or series of events while myth is a traditional story which embodies a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon… It is important to be aware and careful of the narratives we use. It is even more important to be reflective of the myths we follow. Myths, with their attendant belief systems, have a greater impact on our perceptions and actions than narratives. The stories we use to frame our understanding of the facts about a topic highlight some areas but blind us to others. We should think about topics Read More ›

white-grey-and-pink-mandelbrot-fractal-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
White, grey and pink mandelbrot fractal.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 7, 2021
Categorized
Mathematics, Religion
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

How Kurt Gödel Destroyed a Popular Form of Atheism

We don’t hear much about logical positivism now but it was very fashionable in the early twentieth century
News
March 7, 2021
6
Mathematics, Religion

In this week’s podcast, “The Chaitin interview I: Chaitin chats with Kurt Gödel,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviewed mathematician and computer scientist Gregory Chaitin. Earlier, we noted his comments on the almost supernatural awareness that the great mathematicians had of the foundations of reality in the mathematics of our universe. Yesterday, we heard Chaitin’s recollection of how he (almost) met the eccentric genius Kurt Gödel (1906–1978). One way that Gödel stood out from many of his contemporaries was that he believed in God. He even wrote a mathematical proof of the existence of God. https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-124-Gregory-Chaitin.mp3 This portion begins at 17:16 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: One of the things Read More ›