13 replies to this topic

[erzebet]

These days I discovered the Journal of Consciousness Studies http://www.imprint.co.uk/jcs/ and I found out about the electromagnetic field theory of consciousness - mainly the one developed by Johnjoe McFadden.

These are the main ideas that i deducted from his papers :
- our brain is conscious and unconscious - our unconscious mind can multi-task while our conscious one can't
- learning and memorizing are conscious but the memories retrieval can be unconscious
- the state of consciousness is related to the firing synchrony of neurons and not the number of neurons firing per se
- the brain's endogenous electromagnetic field can be detected by EEG, EMG and can be influenced by TMS for example
The theory suggests that our consciousness relies in this electromagnetic field - with the available technology it is a testable theory so could this have major implications for developing consciousness in artificial machines but also in mind uploading?

[solbanger]

These days I discovered the Journal of Consciousness Studies http://www.imprint.co.uk/jcs/ and I found out about the electromagnetic field theory of consciousness - mainly the one developed by Johnjoe McFadden.

These are the main ideas that i deducted from his papers :
- our brain is conscious and unconscious - our unconscious mind can multi-task while our conscious one can't
- learning and memorizing are conscious but the memories retrieval can be unconscious
- the state of consciousness is related to the firing synchrony of neurons and not the number of neurons firing per se
- the brain's endogenous electromagnetic field can be detected by EEG, EMG and can be influenced by TMS for example
The theory suggests that our consciousness relies in this electromagnetic field - with the available technology it is a testable theory so could this have major implications for developing consciousness in artificial machines but also in mind uploading?

That's been a theory for a while. That the brain is essentially a radio receiver designed to tune into a specific personality found in the holographic spectrum. This also explains depression, elation and bipolar-ism. It's like affecting the treble, bass and the speaker channel on a radio.

Edited by solbanger, 02 May 2010 - 03:10 PM.

[ken_akiba]

Here is something to think about.

http://www.centrefor...avantskills.pdf

Our brain is capable of accepting unlimited amount of raw data, but is incapable or rather does not choose to retain all the data. frontal lobe "filters" most of them out. And stroke of genius steps in this filtering process.

[TheFountain]

Maybe the nucleus of a cell is the beginning of a universal psionic quantum channel of consciousness? Maybe our individual brains and their interactions with the quantum origin of this thing we call 'mind' are what create personality or individuality. The degree of perfection (or lack thereof) of our host brains?

Edited by TheFountain, 08 May 2010 - 09:36 AM.

[bacopa]

this sounds a bit like pseudo science with words like quantum used loosely, and using terms like quantum channel of consciousness. Before debunking what you say, can you elaborate in a real, hard scientific way a bit more?

[TheFountain]

this sounds a bit like pseudo science with words like quantum used loosely, and using terms like quantum channel of consciousness. Before debunking what you say, can you elaborate in a real, hard scientific way a bit more?

No, because as far as I am concerned consciousness is fair game. It doesn't belong to science solely. How dare we say we know the origins of it? Quantum doesn't refer strictly to quantum mechanics but to anything transcendent of normal philosophical/scientific use to where measurement is either impossible or, at best, prospective. But this is why I start my sentence off with the word 'maybe'. Shame on your arrogance.

Edited by TheFountain, 08 May 2010 - 11:46 AM.

[JLL]

Science beware, TheFountain is here to rewrite the rules of quantum mechanics.

[TheFountain]

Science beware, TheFountain is here to rewrite the rules of quantum mechanics.

I said the word 'quantum' need not apply only to the principles of quantum mechanics when referencing that which transcends current knowledge. The reason we call it 'quantum physics' or 'quantum mechanics' is that it is based on theoretical mathematical models which project a complete picture, this is not hands on knowledge but indirect knowledge through extremely abstract formulas.

[erzebet]

Here is something to think about.

http://www.centrefor...avantskills.pdf

Our brain is capable of accepting unlimited amount of raw data, but is incapable or rather does not choose to retain all the data. frontal lobe "filters" most of them out. And stroke of genius steps in this filtering process.

thanks for the link- i always wondered how could some people have their brain damaged yet still show remarkable abilities in one domain

[bacopa]

this sounds a bit like pseudo science with words like quantum used loosely, and using terms like quantum channel of consciousness. Before debunking what you say, can you elaborate in a real, hard scientific way a bit more?

No, because as far as I am concerned consciousness is fair game. It doesn't belong to science solely. How dare we say we know the origins of it? Quantum doesn't refer strictly to quantum mechanics but to anything transcendent of normal philosophical/scientific use to where measurement is either impossible or, at best, prospective. But this is why I start my sentence off with the word 'maybe'. Shame on your arrogance.

sorry for sounding arrogant, I meant to just find out more information, while giving my opinion based on what you said which sounded a bit pseudo scientific. I'm not saying you are without an argument, I would just need to know more about this idea of quantum as used in this case as "transcendent of normal philosophical science use."

[cyborgdreamer]

Science beware, TheFountain is here to rewrite the rules of quantum mechanics.

I said the word 'quantum' need not apply only to the principles of quantum mechanics when referencing that which transcends current knowledge. The reason we call it 'quantum physics' or 'quantum mechanics' is that it is based on theoretical mathematical models which project a complete picture, this is not hands on knowledge but indirect knowledge through extremely abstract formulas.

The word 'quantum' in quantum physics refers to the discrete energy levels of subatomic particles, not the abstract formulas or the inability to take direct measurements. Those are facets of quantum physics so I can see why you might want to use quantum physics as a metaphor for your ideas about consciousness. However, nothing you're describing fits the definition of the word quantum

[Clifford Greenblatt]

A good reference on efforts to develop a scientific theory of consciousness is The Conscious Mind, In Search of a Fundamental Theory by David J Chalmers. The book does include some discussion about electromagnetic fields and quantum mechanics, but is much more comprehensive than this.

[robomoon]

Consciousness in the mind is retrieving memories of the past to compare them with imagined reality. When the imagination matches the reality experienced by the senses, then the mind is getting conscious about the past and tasks it is learning to leave or to change at present time.

When the mind switches from biological stimulus to synthetic stimulus in hope to extend the consciousness with a digital computer, the amount of incoming data is much too low for that.

Currently, minds aren't retrieving enough incoming memories from data storage in digital computers. Instead of a biotech interface sending stimuli to the visual cortex, there's only a monitor in front of the user's eyes. There's not even enough from the earphones a user should be receiving sonic information.

Actually, the computer industry has only one great business plan in common: create more billionaires and kick the majority of investors in the butt. So the only interface we should expect for advanced development is the butthead interface where most of consciousness is coming through.

Edited by robomoon, 30 October 2010 - 12:27 PM.

[ElusiveMind]

While the theory of electromagnetic consciousness seems pretty interesting, I don't think that seems correct (just gut reaction, no real direct reason). Our hearts and body produce small electric currents to flex muscles correct? If electricity was run through a wire of sorts, wouldn't that create an, be it weak, electromagnetic field around the wire?
If so, then couldn't that be the same reason for our electromagnetic field?

Pce,
ElusiveMind