[Simon wrote:]
> "To claim we do have the capacity to simulate things is to assume we have
> knowledge of them we most likely do not possess. This would seem
> arrogant in the extreme. ..."
Jennifer replies:
> I do not think it is arrogant dogma, when it seems that the Universe might
> indeed be a quantum computer, it would mean, that we would need to
> take our own
> first person experiences seriously. Something that Chalmers, Clark,
> Varela, and
> all, are fighting for. It is problematic of science to not take first
person
> methods seriously. Perhaps it is why artists are so often involved in
these
> discussions.
It would be a difficult and a hard problem to accurate and reliably simulate
things
[senses, mind, etc.] at this point in time. Progress in this area is
exponential and not
linear. In this instance Simon more accurate than wrong. However, I was
taken aback by
Simon's comment which suggests artists' works interested in mind simulation
is not
scientific. Contrarily it may indeed be stemming from critical inquiry,
based on the
exponentiality of technological futures. It is vastly necessary and
important to
question our reference material and to be skeptical of our research as we
explore
possibilities for artistic expression. But suggesting is it arrogant as a
fait accompli
makes me wonder if it is an ideological interpretation of simulation,
presently and/or
its future potential.
Jennifer, Clark is a fine example of someone who ardently looks for
scientific
credibility. I would also put Anders Sandberg, Ben Goertzel, Robert Freitas,
Randal
Koene, Suzanne Gildert and others in this category. As for artists in the
area of mind
transfer and/or copying, I cannot speak for others, but my research is
deeply linked to
scientific realism and historical efforts by McCulloch, Von Foerster,
Minsky, etc. alert
us to continue exploring and investigation possibilities for brain-computer
interaction.
And this area continues to develop and the domain of simulation is an
integral aspect of
where mind may be headed when we consider computational simulations.
Again, we are not there yet, and to assume so would be arrogant. But to
limit ourselves
by today's technologies and scientific reasoning would be parochial.
All my best,
Natasha
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