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So, I keep reading responses such as this on the subject of neuron/brain emulation, and I have a question to ask back. Is it possible to understand a neuron at

So, I keep reading responses such as this on the subject of neuron/brain emulation, and I have a question to ask back. Is it possible to understand a neuron at all? It appears that we have some understanding, given that we can decode some of the electrical and chemical signals coming from them and to them, but it seems that the zeitgeist is that these things are inherently impossible to understand. If so, as a layperson why waste the resources trying to advance this branch of science? (Note I personally fully support advancing this branch of science.) Why not spend the effort on something with positive tangible results, like space travel or clean power?

BrianOnHN 5y ago
I'd say a single neuron should be understandable given that the network effects DO NOT have sufficient impact. Given that "sufficient impact", then the "system understanding itself" issue arises. However, if you believe the neuron is the same as the neuron in the worm, then the concept of how it works should (by my best guess and nothing else) be adequately simple for human understanding.
eminence32 5y ago
> Why not spend the effort on something with positive tangible results, like space travel or clean power? Effort/interest is not really fungible or spendable like this. People work and study on the things that are interesting to them. We can't just flip a switch to get everyone who's researching brains to transition to researching space travel.
zyngaro 5y ago
Why do you think these things are impossible to understand? Serious question
- aperrien 5y ago
  I do not think that they are. However, whenever this topic comes up, there are people who immediately jump out and state that is basically is, simply because we don't know enough about the underlying science yet. Which is strange, as studying the underlying science to understand the situation is exactly what we should be doing... It's just so backwards, and it confuses me.

BrianOnHN 5y ago

I'd say a single neuron should be understandable given that the network effects DO NOT have sufficient impact. Given that "sufficient impact", then the "system understanding itself" issue arises. However, if you believe the neuron is the same as the neuron in the worm, then the concept of how it works should (by my best guess and nothing else) be adequately simple for human understanding.

eminence32 5y ago

> Why not spend the effort on something with positive tangible results, like space travel or clean power? Effort/interest is not really fungible or spendable like this. People work and study on the things that are interesting to them. We can't just flip a switch to get everyone who's researching brains to transition to researching space travel.

zyngaro 5y ago

Why do you think these things are impossible to understand? Serious question

aperrien 5y ago
I do not think that they are. However, whenever this topic comes up, there are people who immediately jump out and state that is basically is, simply because we don't know enough about the underlying science yet. Which is strange, as studying the underlying science to understand the situation is exactly what we should be doing... It's just so backwards, and it confuses me.