I contest that the fact that we know that the brain needs oxigen and nourishment to function is the same as to say we know how the brain functions.

The above is true, but we still don't know how the brain functions. Therefore it is preposterous to claim to know how the brain functions.

We cannot find evidence for the physical existence of:

- thought
- dreams
- feelings
- consciousness
- horniness.

We know that some or another area of the brain gets more blood to flow there in certain situations, that may be connected to these events and phenomena. But we don't know how the brain functions. We cannot even identify and sufficiently well define "thought".


Yes, it is conceivable that we will know that in the future. But we are now here, and all we can say, truthfully, is that we don't know what a thought is and how it presents.

Basically we don't know how the brain works, and we must not make statements of any kind that claim otherwise, including the type of things that are maybe how the brain works. The theories exist, and they are valid tries, valid ways of asking questions, and we need creative thoughts and theories; but we must not claim knowledge until we have it.

Corollary to this is that since we don't know, anything is possible. I am not claiming that something in this lot of "anything" is true or not, exists or not; but if you say it cannot be this or that, well, we have to wait until we see that it really cannot be this or that. Categorically claiming that something cannot be this or that when that same claim is unsustainable, is wrong.

A brain is being built right now as we speak. It has far fewer neurons then a human brain and those neurons are simulated, but it thinks and can respond to stimulus just like a real brain does, no scripted behavior, all emergent properties of complex neural networks.

Tell me more. Who is building this brain? I love mad scientists.
I want to know more about this project. Do you have any links?

Mmm, im looking I read so very much I cant be sure where I read it, ill find it however.

I think it was a ted talks actually now that I think about it.

funches, you surprise me with your lack of logic:
My knowledge of his capabilities doesn't come from the personal experience, but from the numerous emails I've got from the other female members...

You know, children shouldn't play with matches!
By the same token, you shouldn't play with Logic!
(In either case, someone gets burned...)

Wux...if the brain use oxygen or nourishment in any way to function then that is an indication that the brain need oxygen and nourishment to function

means that you either stalking the women or pimping them out to him

Tell me, are they attempting to build it out of organic brain matter, or are the building it like a computer brain? (Mechanical)

funches, you really have a one-track mind -- logic's been side-tracked...

ok..then you're pimping out Abracadabra..

Actually, I wish I were! Unfortunately, he says my services are too expensive... Thus he prefers doing it solo!

you mean with his hand

Yeah, He's got the magic touch -- judging from the feedback I got from some of the other female members... * * *

Anyways, I hope you got my point!

I really don't feel comfortable discussing somebody else's endowments over the public forum...

Just be aware -- things aren't always what they seem like!!!

so they watched him use his sock puppet on himself

It is rare that a thing is what it seems to be..

Well circuits are not mechanical devices, they are electronic. Electrons moving, not gears. Its simulated so its software that simulates a neural net. Extremely promising and a great proof of concept.

Here it is.
http://www.ted.com/talks/henry_markram_supercomputing_the_brain_s_secrets.html

Wonderfully fascinating. Its important to note that evolution builds some amazingly complex structures, and it took 2 billion years to do it. To simulate a human brain may take us a few more years lol.

I agree, then is why I predict that the project will be abandoned in favor of creating and organizing an organic brain or combining technology and organic material. (androids rather than robots.)

I just watched the video and I was impressed. He said that the brain (may)create and project reality and mentioned that the brain they are building may be able to produce a reality that we could step into and see, (--like a hologram.) He did use the term hologram at the very end.

Very interesting.

I would be interested in following this kind of project. I wonder how they will get the 'brain' to perceive things, such as the five senses allow us to see and perceive things. How will they program the senses to work, and will a consciousness arise from this brain, or will this brain depend entirely on (conscious) programmers manipulating it to function.

Will it learn? Will it feel? Will it be alive at some point?

Very interesting.