3 ms·

My guess would be 'easily available random number generator.' Whether access to an rng is a prerequisite for consciousness is another question...

exoesquitur 8y ago
Since adding noise is a critical part in many neural network training models, it is entirely possible that an at-hand source of randomness is highly useful. Drugs that reduce the accessibility of this randomness by biasing the signal pathways (or something) might be an interesting research vector.
- maze-le 8y ago
  >> Since adding noise is a critical part in many neural network training models Our brains do not work exactly like neural network models. Neural Networks are a model, on how nervous systems could work. It doesn't follow, that nature has implemented them the same way. There is no need for the human brain to produce noise with some arbitrary process. There is more than enough noise in the human brain... Every single neuron is a powerful noise-filter[0], that seemingly can generate signals when the "correct" noise-signal is filtered. >> Drugs that reduce the accessibility of this randomness by biasing the signal pathways The randomness you are talking about is way the brain operates under normal circumstances[1]... so no, it wouldn't be beneficial, since we cannot discern signal from noise in any meaningful way [2]. [0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuronal_noise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuronal_noise [1]: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/486289 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/486289 [2]: not even on the level of the single neuron -- except for very few types of neurons [pyramid neurons] in a rat model -- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1456039/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1456039/
- rusk 8y ago
  IANAP but my understanding of a lot of psychiatric drugs is that they do just this, they dampen brain activity which may be analogous to what you're describing.
blahblah1010 8y ago
>Whether access to an rng is a prerequisite for consciousness is another question... Wouldn't free will necessarily require "true" random number generation? If there existed any equation such that it could always perfectly predict what something would choose, then it seems no choice is really being made. Assuming that's true, and assuming free will is a necessary component of consciousness, then it follows that probabilistic phenomena is a requirement for conscious behavior. This begs the question, "Do people have free will?", which isn't any easier to answer. But hey, if it doesn't exist, then you really can't blame me for thinking it does.

exoesquitur 8y ago

Since adding noise is a critical part in many neural network training models, it is entirely possible that an at-hand source of randomness is highly useful. Drugs that reduce the accessibility of this randomness by biasing the signal pathways (or something) might be an interesting research vector.

maze-le 8y ago
>> Since adding noise is a critical part in many neural network training models Our brains do not work exactly like neural network models. Neural Networks are a model, on how nervous systems could work. It doesn't follow, that nature has implemented them the same way. There is no need for the human brain to produce noise with some arbitrary process. There is more than enough noise in the human brain... Every single neuron is a powerful noise-filter[0], that seemingly can generate signals when the "correct" noise-signal is filtered. >> Drugs that reduce the accessibility of this randomness by biasing the signal pathways The randomness you are talking about is way the brain operates under normal circumstances[1]... so no, it wouldn't be beneficial, since we cannot discern signal from noise in any meaningful way [2]. [0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuronal_noise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuronal_noise [1]: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/486289 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/486289 [2]: not even on the level of the single neuron -- except for very few types of neurons [pyramid neurons] in a rat model -- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1456039/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1456039/
rusk 8y ago
IANAP but my understanding of a lot of psychiatric drugs is that they do just this, they dampen brain activity which may be analogous to what you're describing.

blahblah1010 8y ago

>Whether access to an rng is a prerequisite for consciousness is another question... Wouldn't free will necessarily require "true" random number generation? If there existed any equation such that it could always perfectly predict what something would choose, then it seems no choice is really being made. Assuming that's true, and assuming free will is a necessary component of consciousness, then it follows that probabilistic phenomena is a requirement for conscious behavior. This begs the question, "Do people have free will?", which isn't any easier to answer. But hey, if it doesn't exist, then you really can't blame me for thinking it does.