3 ms·
I was thinking something similar, that you are taking a complex biological computation device that has over 1000 synapses, each carrying some complex quantity o
by mattmcknight 18y ago
I was thinking something similar, that you are taking a complex biological computation device that has over 1000 synapses, each carrying some complex quantity of information, and reducing it to a bit. This is an inefficient use of a neuron.
- amackera 18y agoYou are quite correct; however, I think one interesting corollary to this research is the interface between brain and computer. Though we still require a method by which to translate brain function into Boolean-esque logic, at least when we figure that out we'll have a method to input that data into a computer (however inefficient that method may be).
- dhughes 18y agoYes it does seem as if someone took some very complex transistors and used them as a knobs on an abacus. The recent discovery that it may be possible for a single neuron to store a memory makes it all the more likely ( http://www.livescience.com/health/090125-memory-cell.html http://www.livescience.com/health/090125-memory-cell.html )
- lallysingh 18y agoWhat's nice about this is that living cells can heal to an extent, which is more than we can say for silicon.
- glymor 18y agoAFAIK living cells doesn't heal they auto-destruct and are replaced by new cells.
- mechanical_fish 18y agoThis requires one of those "yes and no" answers. Sometimes cells auto-destruct and are replaced by new cells. Other times, they heal. Both strategies can be useful, depending on the situation.