Building A Working Brain

[joeychuckles]

Well, I think it's time to start construction on your secure underground bunkers, friends. Some clearly not-a-mad-scientist is trying to build a "living" brain by 2018, which he claims will learn and feel emotion just like a human. Which means it's only a matter of time before the robot brain turns on its makers, starts building copies of itself, and then we're in for anything from the Matrix (but the first one please, you know, the paradise thingy) to The Terminator (but the first one, please, where it didn't get all liquidy) to whatever futuristic dystopia you prefer. Article at the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1240410/The-real-Frankenstein-experiment-One-mans-mission-create-living-mind-inside-machine.html

And, of course: Why is this a terrible idea? Your thoughts, please.

****EDIT****

Here are more sources, since the Daily Mail is. . .*ahem*. . .perhaps not a bastion of journalistic integrity...


http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/19767/?a=f

and the project website:

http://bluebrain.epfl.ch/page18699.html

Eep!

 

[Lemon Of Life]

Well. It'll be something interesting, right?

 

[grimsprice]

I'm hoping for something more like Cortana than say... Skynet.

Hopefully, this won't doom us all.

 

[Ultracake]

Well, I'm off to steal some research, reverse engineer said research, Then take over the planet


It will be a rich, Full day.

 

[konor77]

since the sorce is the daily mail i'm not worried.

 

[Ultracake]

since the sorce is the daily mail i'm not worried.

Dooohh.. The daily mail!? That's my plan kaput then...

Why didn't i notice that earlier!
*Drops death ray*

 

[FalloutJack]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

 

[joeychuckles]

since the sorce is the daily mail i'm not worried.

Dooohh.. The daily mail!? That's my plan kaput then...

Why didn't i notice that earlier!
*Drops death ray*

Haha! Although, source aside, the guy seems pretty serious about it. Here's another source:

http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/19767/?a=f

and the project website:

http://bluebrain.epfl.ch/page18699.html

Eep!

 

[Ultracake]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

*Serious mode*

The human brain is an incredible processor, If this scientist succeeds in his research it is plausible that it could lead to an ungodly awesome advance in computing, in the near, to near - distant, Future.

And as a Pc gamer. I am very much for this. Lol

Although, Since he is trying to make it able to feel. And love. I predict a massive rights movement regarding it, Similar to the cloning one. "If it can feel and think, it's a human life. It's wrong to create a life without a body, Etc etc."

But from a computing standpoint. It could be a great leap. Yeah.

 

[FalloutJack]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

*Serious mode*

The human brain is an incredible processor, If this scientist succeeds in his research it is plausible that it could lead to an ungodly awesome advance in computing, in the near, to near - distant, Future.

And as a Pc gamer. I am very much for this. Lol

Although, Since he is trying to make it able to feel. And love. I predict a massive rights movement regarding it, Similar to the cloning one. "If it can feel and think, it's a human life. It's wrong to create a life without a body, Etc etc."

But from a computing standpoint. It could be a great leap. Yeah.

Oh, I know and understand all that. But because I don't want to be in the middle of an ethical debate, I decided to mock panic and crack a joke.

 

[Tiny116]

It's a scary thought, and I think he lied, here:

'The process of building this is going to change society. We will have ethical problems that are unimaginable to us. If I saw signs of suffering I would stop,' Markram says.

I'm sorry but there is now way, even through the ethical implication that if Markham creates a true conciousness that he wont carry on his plans, not after years of work and millions, possibly billions of dollors.

 

[The Singularity]

Well, I think it's time to start construction on your secure underground bunkers, friends. Some clearly not-a-mad-scientist is trying to build a "living" brain by 2018, which he claims will learn and feel emotion just like a human.

Wow really, if its a human brain its not going to be all crazy. It will just be human, you hit it it defends itself blahblahblah its just a human brain. If it has emotions we will be fine.

 

[Internet Kraken]

I can't say I'm to thrilled by this plan. Not because of a Skynet scenario (I doubt that will never happen), but rather because he is trying to create life. Intelligence that is not artificial. He intends to create emotions.

And it just seems wrong to me. If he succeeds, he will have spawned a creature that's only purpose is to be studied. Would it be content with such an existence? How is it fair for us to create life and then subject it to such cruel treatment?

Markram claims that he will stop if he sees any signs of suffering. But would he really do that? Would he be willing to dispose of everything he has accomplished just like that? I imagine the benefits of this experiment could be enormous, but at what cost?

I have nothing against complex and intelligent emotions. What I have a problem with is giving them emotions.

It's a scary thought, and I think he lied, here:

'The process of building this is going to change society. We will have ethical problems that are unimaginable to us. If I saw signs of suffering I would stop,' Markram says.

I'm sorry but there is now way, even through the ethical implication that if Markham creates a true conciousness that he wont carry on his plans, not after years of work and millions, possibly billions of dollors.

Ah so I'm not the only one who thought his statement was suspicious. I can't imagine anyone being willing to dispose of all that work after coming so far. But even if he did do that it would already be to late. He would have created an abomination. How exactly would he deal with that?

Wow really, if its a human brain its not going to be all crazy. It will just be human, you hit it it defends itself blahblahblah its just a human brain. If it has emotions we will be fine.

I'd say a lack of emotions is far less dangerous than having emotions.

 

[Jaranja]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

*Serious mode*

The human brain is an incredible processor, If this scientist succeeds in his research it is plausible that it could lead to an ungodly awesome advance in computing, in the near, to near - distant, Future.

And as a Pc gamer. I am very much for this. Lol

Although, Since he is trying to make it able to feel. And love. I predict a massive rights movement regarding it, Similar to the cloning one. "If it can feel and think, it's a human life. It's wrong to create a life without a body, Etc etc."

But from a computing standpoint. It could be a great leap. Yeah.

The brain is a processor? REALLY?

How many calculations can we do per second? How long can we keep useless data?

If you're correct; I want my brain to run a Cry-engine game.

 

[Ultracake]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

*Serious mode*

The human brain is an incredible processor, If this scientist succeeds in his research it is plausible that it could lead to an ungodly awesome advance in computing, in the near, to near - distant, Future.

And as a Pc gamer. I am very much for this. Lol

Although, Since he is trying to make it able to feel. And love. I predict a massive rights movement regarding it, Similar to the cloning one. "If it can feel and think, it's a human life. It's wrong to create a life without a body, Etc etc."

But from a computing standpoint. It could be a great leap. Yeah.

Oh, I know and understand all that. But because I don't want to be in the middle of an ethical debate, I decided to mock panic and crack a joke.

That is completely understandable, In fact. You deserve some sort of prize for how understandable that is.

But i don't have one. So uh... Just pat yourself on the back

 

[Ekonk]

I'd better get my personal dedicated HelpDesk-overmind.

Or something. As long as it doesn't take over.

 

[Ultracake]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

*Serious mode*

The human brain is an incredible processor, If this scientist succeeds in his research it is plausible that it could lead to an ungodly awesome advance in computing, in the near, to near - distant, Future.

And as a Pc gamer. I am very much for this. Lol

Although, Since he is trying to make it able to feel. And love. I predict a massive rights movement regarding it, Similar to the cloning one. "If it can feel and think, it's a human life. It's wrong to create a life without a body, Etc etc."

But from a computing standpoint. It could be a great leap. Yeah.

The brain is a processor? REALLY?

How many calculations can we do per second? How long can we keep useless data?

If you're correct; I want my brain to run a Cry-engine game.

Neuron pathways and electrical signals being used to process input from sensory organs, and generating a response. It all boils down to 1's and 0's eventually.

I imagine that we can do a lot of calculations per second. IE, Conscious thought. But it depends on the person.

And don't get your hopes up. A cry engine game would probably make you die. Lol, jk. It is hypothetically possible. But we'd need to rework the game engine to run on the.. "File" system the brain uses, Or genetically rework the brain to work in a much more similar way to a computer.
[/evilgenius]

 

[Jaranja]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

*Serious mode*

The human brain is an incredible processor, If this scientist succeeds in his research it is plausible that it could lead to an ungodly awesome advance in computing, in the near, to near - distant, Future.

And as a Pc gamer. I am very much for this. Lol

Although, Since he is trying to make it able to feel. And love. I predict a massive rights movement regarding it, Similar to the cloning one. "If it can feel and think, it's a human life. It's wrong to create a life without a body, Etc etc."

But from a computing standpoint. It could be a great leap. Yeah.

The brain is a processor? REALLY?

How many calculations can we do per second? How long can we keep useless data?

If you're correct; I want my brain to run a Cry-engine game.

Neuron pathways and electrical signals being used to process input from sensory organs, and generating a response. It all boils down to 1's and 0's eventually.

I imagine that we can do a lot of calculations per second. IE, Conscious thought. But it depends on the person.

And don't get your hopes up. A cry engine game would probably make you die. Lol, jk. It is hypothetically possible. But we'd need to rework the game engine to run on the.. "File" system the brain uses, Or genetically rework the brain to work in a much more similar way to a computer.

I doubt anyone will be reworking the brain any time soon. I reckon the processors out now are much more advanced than the ol' thinker.

 

[Ultracake]

*Looks at article*

WE'RE FUCKED!

When I think of all the crazy computers and artificial-brain machines... Colossus, Skynet, Hector, WOTAN, BOSS, Proteus... Yup, we're doomed.

*Serious mode*

The human brain is an incredible processor, If this scientist succeeds in his research it is plausible that it could lead to an ungodly awesome advance in computing, in the near, to near - distant, Future.

And as a Pc gamer. I am very much for this. Lol

Although, Since he is trying to make it able to feel. And love. I predict a massive rights movement regarding it, Similar to the cloning one. "If it can feel and think, it's a human life. It's wrong to create a life without a body, Etc etc."

But from a computing standpoint. It could be a great leap. Yeah.

The brain is a processor? REALLY?

How many calculations can we do per second? How long can we keep useless data?

If you're correct; I want my brain to run a Cry-engine game.

Neuron pathways and electrical signals being used to process input from sensory organs, and generating a response. It all boils down to 1's and 0's eventually.

I imagine that we can do a lot of calculations per second. IE, Conscious thought. But it depends on the person.

And don't get your hopes up. A cry engine game would probably make you die. Lol, jk. It is hypothetically possible. But we'd need to rework the game engine to run on the.. "File" system the brain uses, Or genetically rework the brain to work in a much more similar way to a computer.

I doubt anyone will be reworking the brain any time soon. I reckon the processors out now are much more advanced than the ol' thinker.

There your quite wrong, The human brain is one of the most powerful computing systems to exist. Because it can think in such an amazing way.

For example. Take a human eye attached to a brain.

The brain would automatically use the eye to see, And it would be able to retroactively notice movement automatically. Because of the way it is built.
And because of the brain being organic. And therefor able to grow new neurons. It is capable of generating new space to store data, or process new information.

Considering how the human brain in a normal person is able to regulate bodily functions, Taste, smell, see, hear, and feel, And calculate a sense of balance. As well as almost instantly accessing memories regarding what it is sensing. (Like someone seeing a fire. and knowing not to touch it because it is hot) Along with short term and long term memory. And this is not even scratching the surface of this subject. With other things such as emotions and instinctual response, And managing the body from nervous and hormonal responses.

Compare this with what your computer will do. And you'll see what i mean.

There's Also the fact. That without a human brain interfacing with it at one point (IE, a human managing it) A computer cant do much more than automatic pre-programmed responses

[billnye] I happen to be an expert on this subject [/billnye]