image by Simha Bode
Here is a little post about my thoughts on thought. This isn’t so much a post to answer questions as it is to ask them, in order to get us all thinking thoughts about our thinking. :)
What is thought? 0110010010011110
Wikipedia defines it as, ideas or arrangements of ideas that are the result of the process of thinking.
As I demonstrated with the binary code above, computers “think” by using a combination of zeros and ones. Now computer programers are working harder than ever to mimic the human process of thought (and learning) with AI. This is now escalating to the creation of quantum computers which (I believe) are still using zeros and ones combinations only without being fixed, meaning each one and zero are changeable.
For me the underlying reason for all this external technological innovation is in the innate question everyone has “Who am I”. Many of us never realize we have this question and just accept the reflected identity that society (friends, family and community) gives us.
From my own experience and studies I have come to the conclusion that thought (what I would call the activity of the intellect) is not the pinnacle of human capabilities it is actually our limiting factor. It is a tool that allows us to function in the world but limits our understanding and experience of “reality”. Expanded consciousness (inner growth) usually happens when our habitual thought process and self-identity is in some way interrupted (meditation, near death experience, psychedelic experience etc).
Sociologists and philosophers have struggled with describing human thought and identity since the beginning of self inquiry. I don’t have the answers but am very intrigued by the prospects of these discussions. I would love this to become a thread of discussion on where people see AI and human evolution (identity) going.
A few questions:
What makes human thinking so difficult to mimic?
Is there such a thing as a completely original human thought?
Are your thoughts your own?
What is the “seed” of thought?
How are intellect, intelligence and consciousness different?
Is singularity even a possibility?