Posted on 11/11/2003 2:55:42 AM PST by Pharmboy
If a woman discovered HElium, would it then be called HERlium?
The best hypothesis I've seen so far on that question is in the book "Sparse Distributed Memory" by Pentti Kanerva. It proposes and mathematically analyzes a memory model that is elegant in its simplicity, but exhibits a surprising number of traits in common with what we know about human memory, including:
1. The more often it is exposed to a particular piece of data, the more accurately it recalls it.
2. The more recently it has stored a piece of data, the more accurately it recalls it.
3. Older, less reinforced "memories" tend to become more vague and generalized as more information is stored.
4. Memories are most easily retrieved when a similar (or related) piece of data is used as a "key" (i.e., the memory module is "associative").
5. The memory module generalizes when similar but somewhat differing pieces of data are stored (i.e. it figures out what they have in common, and retrieves a composite "answer" when queried with a particular).
6. It can have the "tip of the tongue" syndrome, where it knows it knows something, but can't retrieve it until a triggering memory is accessed which releases it via association.
7. It has effectively unlimited storage ability. It never simply "runs out" of data storage. Instead, if too much information is stored relative to its capacity, older memories just start degrading in quality instead of disappear altogether, and new memories can always be stored.
8. A particular piece of data is stored in no one place, but instead "all over" in the memory module. If part of the memory module is removed or damaged, it is unlikely that any particular memory will simply vanish, instead the accuracy of stored memories will somewhat degrade but most will still be retrievable. This is strikingly similar to how human memory and cognition is affected by localized brain damage.
9. The fundamental unit of the memory module is extremely simple, and the sort of thing that biological systems could easily have stumbled upon during evolution, and yet the properties of the memory model are extremely rich and powerful (including not just data storage, but many of the processes that we think of as cognition and learning).
10. The power and accuracy of the memory/cognition abilities increase simply by adding more and more of the basic "memory cells" in a repetitive way, connected literally randomly.
11. The behavior of a single memory unit is exactly what is seen in animal neurons (repeated activation lowers the threshold for subsequent activations, fewer activations raise the threshold for subsequent activations).
12. In the appendix of the book Kanerva shows that the neural structure of the human cerebellum (which is used for "muscle memory" -- e.g. learning to ride a bicycle) is strikingly similar to the proposed memory model.
13. The memory model is equally adept at storing static memories as time-sequential memories (like speeches or songs).
14. Retrieving a latter part of a time-sequential memory (like a song) is most easily achieved by using earlier parts as a "key" (i.e., like having to sing a song to yourself in order to remember a later verse).
And so on. Kanerva's memory model is amazingly versatile, and behaves very much like human memory. I think he's definitely on to something. His book is one of the most fascinating things I've ever read.
Research continues into variations on Kanerva's basic insight, such as for example this paper. Or do a web search for "sparse distributed memory", "SDM", or "kanerva memory".
Like a lion picking off the weak member of the herd (or, in my case, more like a hyena).
That's the fundamental difference between guys and chicks- when girls see one of their friends about to hook up with a heinous guy, they do everything in their power to prevent it. When guys see their buddy about to hook up with a heinous girl, they do everything in their power to encourage it, because they can make fun of him for it for years to come.
Ball lightning doesn't qualify? That's gotta be paranormal.
And what about that forest in Russia that was knocked down...but all the trees were pointing inward? Like a giant vacuum occurred?
And Tammy Faye Baker? Helllllllloooooooo?
Smallpox.
(2) Is War Our Biological Destiny?
No, it's our political destiny.
(3) Will Humans Ever Visit Mars?
Probably.
(4) How Does the Brain Work?
Good question.
(5) What Is Gravity, Really?
Good question.
(6) Will We Ever Find Atlantis?
Found it: it's the island of Thera.
(8) What Should We Eat?
I reject the premise. Try: How can we remain perfectly healthy while eating whatever we want?
(9) When Will the Next Ice Age Begin?
Good question.
(10) What Happened Before the Big Bang?
What lies south of the South Pole?
(11) Could We Live Forever?
No.
(12) Are Men Necessary? ...
As far as I'm concerned, I am.
... Are Women Necessary?
Oooh, yeah.
(13) What Is the Next Plague?
Liberal talk radio.
(14) Can Robots Become Conscious?
Define conscious.
(15) Why Do We Sleep?
Good question.
(16) Are Animals Smarter Than We Think?
Yes. They are also stupider than we think.
(17) Can Science Prove the Existence of God?
No. Can religion solve the Dirac equation?
(18) Is Evolution Truly Random?
No, natural selection plays a role.
(19) How Did Life Begin?
Good question, but a scientific answer may not be possible.
(20) Can Drugs Make Us Happier? Smarter?
Yes.
(21) Should We Improve Our Genome?
Of course! Show of hands...who wants to keep cystic fibrosis?
(22) How Much Nature Is Enough?
I don't know...how does the whole damn universe sound?
(23) What Is the Most Important Problem in Math Today?
Good question.
(24) Where Are Those Aliens?
Good question.
(25) Do Paranormal Phenomena Exist?
All phenomena are paranormal until explained.
26) What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow?Don't ask Monica.
-Eric
It's the same problem that it will always have: Isn't mathematics just a notational or symbolic representation of agreed-upon human logic, and isn't human logic somewhat flawed?
It was imagined into existence, just like everything else.
They can attain a high degree of analog awareness.
What do you mean? An African or European swallow?
This side of you doesn't show on the crevo threads.
The Tunguska blast has always been a particular favorite of mine as it has an apocryphal tie-in with one of my favorite historical figures: Nikola Tesla.
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