Brains Are Not Computers and Can’t Think In Them

Ever since the creation of the computer, we’ve been thinking of our brains in terms of memory, retrieval, and processing. Renowned psychologist Robert Epstein points out that this metaphor for how the brain works is not exactly accurate and that it might even be holding brain science back from discovering how we really think. In fact, our brains work so differently than computers, Epstein thinks it’s unlikely direct computer-brain interfaces will be successful, nor will there ever be full-insertion of human consciousness into the Internet to achieve digital immortality.

Read The Empty Brain to learn more about the arguments that Epstein is making. Do you think he’s right? When you think about it, how does your ability to remember things differ from your computer’s?

In later parts of SparkQuest, we wanted to feature “the chip” — a computer-brain interface that allows internet access without an external device. We also wanted to feature an almost-complete insertion scenario — not a complete move of human consciousness into a network, but more of an “avatar” type situation where a person’s brain and body remain the location of the soul, but their awareness is completely through the sensors of an artificial body that they operate as if it was their own. How would these ideas be effected by Epstein’s assertions? Do you think we should alter the story based on his viewpoint? Why or why not?