> Now, if consciousness were a consequence of pure computation, it would be possible to write a clever computer program (let’s call it consciousness.exe) that,

> Now, if consciousness were a consequence of pure computation, it would be possible to write a clever computer program (let’s call it consciousness.exe) that, when executed on a big enough computer, produces a conscious being. > ... This is pretty much the premise of the treatise by the great Australian philosopher Greg Egan, called "Permutation city". It really blew my mind back in the 90's when i first read it. Actually I think I read the short story "Dust" first. High a.f. after reading that. > But perhaps new biology is not enough. Roger Penrose has argued that an explanation of consciousness does not simply require new biology, but new physics as well. I have to confess that as far-fetched an idea as it is, I am somewhat partial to the idea. Cool. Me too. > ... resorting to quantum mechanics or new physics is the last refuge of scoundrels. Well that escalated fast!