Over
the years, people like Bostrom, Smoot, Kurzweil and many others, have claimed that based on statistical
probability theory - this is like a Drake-equation argument - it is not
unreasonable to assume that an advanced society with tremendous computer
sophistication has already, or could one day probably, and more than likely,
create such holographic simulations. They say in all likelihood this will
eventually apply to us as well. It all has a lot to do with computer speeds
ramping up by orders of magnitude, as well as knowing that the brain operates
on frequencies that transpose and decode sensory information from receptors
with such rarefied sequencing ability that super-fast supercomputers will be
required to allow us to replicate and program it. Currently, claims by
prominent philosophers and scientists routinely state that we are on the verge
of understanding how we might create a holographic universe simulation, or
already be living in one. This is all a fancy way of saying that we do not know
what we are talking about yet, but we wish we could provide evidence for living
in a holographic universe.
In
other words, these arguments may not be based on any unknown physics, but they
are explicitly based on unknown psychology. The logic of human perception is
the forgotten element in these discussions. Without a human being engaging in a
meaningful perception of the world, there is no awareness, no logical ability
to make predictions about our environment, no self-awareness, no real
relationships, no meaningful social interaction, no science - no sentience.
It's
all about perception.
In
order to understand how to create a holographic experience of sentience, we a
need logical brain-mind theory. If we just say that the whole issue is moot
since the real trick is to manifest holographic dynamics, then we sidestep the
brain-mind theory altogether. However, holographic possibilities in and of
themselves do not mystically create an experience of a mind. Holographic theory
does not replace a brain-mind theory, it just necessitates a coder with a
sound, logical model explaining how brains become minds on a level of digital
technology.
In
some sense, anything could be replicated in a holographic simulation. Science
has been avidly using simulation engines since the sixties. That may be why so
many scientists are so comfortable with the whole idea of simulations to begin
with - an enormous amount of science is done using simulators. However, there
is one singularly important thing that eludes explication and that is the
psychology of perception. That is what eludes us to this day - a real
understanding of the logic of meaningful perception and sentience.
No
one has been able to describe how someone would simulate the experience of
being self-aware. Similarly, many of the world’s greatest philosophers and
neuroscientists have already agreed that we will never be able to devise a
brain-mind theory because we are not smart enough. They call themselves the
Mysterians, and they say the brain has not evolved enough to understand itself.
It is difficult to believe, but many of the world’s smartest brain
neuroscientists, and philosophers have agreed they are not smart enough to
understand how the brain becomes a mind, and they do not think anyone ever will
be smart enough to do it.
This
is more than ‘philosophical-puzzle time’. This is the bottom line issue at
stake. The ability for an individual to be aware of themselves is the single
greatest accomplishment of the reality we share. It is also the single greatest
mystery we can entertain. The entire tower of science, from the dungeon to the
penthouse suite, is clueless. Scientists routinely applaud our ability to explain
the whole universe without addressing the sentient mind very much at all. Even
psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and linguists tend to focus on
specific behaviors at the risk of getting lost in the brain-mind-theory sauce.
Yet, the current state of science notwithstanding, a holographic universe
simulation would be a completely meaningless phenomenon without top priority
given to hosting the brain-mind dynamics of reflexive awareness.
Unless
there are sentient people in the simulation experiencing self-awareness, it is
certainly not worth more than any simulation we are capable of creating today.
It has no intrinsic interest, purpose, or satisfaction. It is just an advanced
video game simulation of cartoon people playing around. In other words,
holographic simulations are meaningless until and unless we can first explicate
in deductive logical terms how a simulation would replicate or create the
meaningful human experience of being a sentient, self-aware creature. Anything
else is just cartoon time.
