5 ms·

Is there a ceiling on what our brains can understand?

13 points by anthilemoon 7y ago

rafaelvasco 7y ago
In my opinion, absolutely. Our brains are incredible machines, but they're still limited physically. The limit is much higher than we think it is today, as expressed by several cases of enhanced sensorial perception, like remote viewing, as disclosed in CIA papers for example. But it's still limited;
maxander 7y ago
If there are things we can't conceptually comprehend, then definitionally we don't understand what they are, so of course we can't answer this question. We won't know one way or another unless we consult with something a step or more "above us on the scale" and they tell us. (And even then- how do we judge if something is "above" us? Chimps would have about as much trouble understanding IQ or the even the abstract notion of "intelligence" as they do skyscrapers, I'd imagine.)
leblancfg 7y ago
Humanity is periodically faced with the fact that it is not special [0] and that it lives on an insignificant little blue planet [1]. I don't see that trend changing anytime soon. What comes to mind of course is Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI. Although I only believe in eventual AGI many years from now, I think it's very interesting to foresee the potential impacts of a machine sitting on the step above in that ladder. See Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence [2], a great read. --- [0]: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HumansAreSpecial https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HumansAreSpecial [1]: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/InsignificantLittleBluePlanet https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/InsignificantLit... [2]: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20527133-superintelligence https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20527133-superintelligen...
powerbroker 7y ago
Assume, that the universe is finite. Assume further, that there is a finite way for matter and X number of forces to interact. Assume that there is a quantifiable range over which uncertainties of electron positions (and other matter) can be, when down to the quantum level. Given these assumptions, the only thing that stops us (all of our brains) from modeling the universe and all within it, is the span of our lifetime(s).
lurquer 7y ago
I don't understand the question.
ncmncm 7y ago
"Yes"

13 points by anthilemoon 7y ago

In my opinion, absolutely. Our brains are incredible machines, but they're still limited physically. The limit is much higher than we think it is today, as expressed by several cases of enhanced sensorial perception, like remote viewing, as disclosed in CIA papers for example. But it's still limited;

maxander 7y ago

If there are things we can't conceptually comprehend, then definitionally we don't understand what they are, so of course we can't answer this question. We won't know one way or another unless we consult with something a step or more "above us on the scale" and they tell us. (And even then- how do we judge if something is "above" us? Chimps would have about as much trouble understanding IQ or the even the abstract notion of "intelligence" as they do skyscrapers, I'd imagine.)

leblancfg 7y ago

Humanity is periodically faced with the fact that it is not special [0] and that it lives on an insignificant little blue planet [1]. I don't see that trend changing anytime soon. What comes to mind of course is Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI. Although I only believe in eventual AGI many years from now, I think it's very interesting to foresee the potential impacts of a machine sitting on the step above in that ladder. See Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence [2], a great read. --- [0]: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HumansAreSpecial https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HumansAreSpecial [1]: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/InsignificantLittleBluePlanet https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/InsignificantLit... [2]: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20527133-superintelligence https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20527133-superintelligen...

powerbroker 7y ago

Assume, that the universe is finite. Assume further, that there is a finite way for matter and X number of forces to interact. Assume that there is a quantifiable range over which uncertainties of electron positions (and other matter) can be, when down to the quantum level. Given these assumptions, the only thing that stops us (all of our brains) from modeling the universe and all within it, is the span of our lifetime(s).

lurquer 7y ago

I don't understand the question.

ncmncm 7y ago

"Yes"