X-Message-Number: 25273
From: "Valera Retyunin" <>
Subject: Intrusion into Scott-Richard's dialogue
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 19:04:54 +0300

Scott: So we finally agree on something. The human mind CAN BE sustained on
a non-biological substrate
with the original QE.

Valera: Strictly speaking, there's only a POSSIBILITY that human mind can be
sustained on a non-biological substrate.

Scott: So if the instantaneous replacement of all your neurons with
artificial duplicates destroys the QE, just how quickly can I replace them
if I do so one at a time (assuming there was no limitation to how quickly I
could replace them)? Just a fraction of a second short of instantaneous?

Valera: Slowly enough so that the QE does not stop existing at any point
during the process.

Scott: Now let s say the external system I choose to build and expand into
is a replica of the brain system inside of my skull so that my internal
system gets connected to an identical external system. Being identical to my
internal system, the external system also has the structures necessary to
experience qualia and begins doing so as soon as I expand into it. So the
two systems have become one system, and qualia are happening to both of my
QE s, both of which would be having the same internal subjective experience.

Valera: First, you cannot have two QEs because YOU are your QE (it's just
another word for YOU). Second, I wouldn't recommend expanding your brain in
such a way. Your external brain system would already have its own QE. Who
knows what would happen? A peaceful merger of two DIFFERENT QEs into a third
QE, or sci-fi schizophrenia? And would you really like merging into a new
QE? You cannot know what it's like. YOU may well die in the merger. So if
you truly want to EXPAND your brain, you'd better add any extensions piece
by piece.

Scott: So now I have a redundant brain system and the accidental or
intentional loss of either QE structures would not result in the destruction
of the original QE since the overall physical system remains capable of
experiencing qualia and continuity would be maintained.

Valera: I think that, in principle, you may be able to extend your brain to
the extent that you can survive losing all of the "old" brain structures.
But since abrupt loss of any significant part of the extended brain would
be, at the very least, a serious brain trauma, you'd better "switch off"
unnecessary brain structures gradually.

Scott: Have I broken any of your theory s rules yet? If not, haven t I just
uploaded without losing my original QE?

Valera: It depends on what you mean by uploading. As I understand it, you
have not uploaded but upgraded yourself.

And finally regarding the Gazzaniga's theory: Whether I am an active doer or
a passive observer of the doings of my subconsciousness, I still place the
highest value on the "thin veneer of consciousness" which you seem to
suggest we should "shed". I am my consciousness. If it's just a passive
watcher, then the first thing I want to preserve is the passive watcher.

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