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Article 7357 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: vender@plains.NoDak.edu (Does it matter?)
Subject: Re: Ginsberg & Human intelligence vs. Machine intelligence
Summary: One cannot rely on Quantum mechanical consciousness
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Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1992 21:06:35 GMT
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Keywords: quantum mechanics consciousness
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The implications of quantum mechanics reguarding the consciousness of the
  observer are not valid.
First, consider that the theories deal with particles which are very small,
  and we exist on a much larger scale.  In order to observe the particles,
  we have to utilize very large scale actions.  The situation becomes quite
  rapidly similar to this example:

    The observer is sitting on the edge of a dark chamber.  Inside the chamber
  are several people who cannot see outside the chamber and cannot throw
  anything outside the chamber.  The observer is equipped with a large
  supply of bricks, which the observer can throw into the room--the only
  action the observer is allowed to take, other than listening to the room.
    At first, the observer may consider the objects in the room to be in
  any condition possible.  After throwing the first brick, and hearing the
  reactions to that action, various possible states are eliminated.

    And now the relationship of the room to quantum physics:
    --Every brick thrown into the room affects the state of the room.
    --If the observer can hear the difference between a brick hitting
      one of the people, and hitting the floor, the position or speed of
      the people can be known with some certainty.
    --If the observer stops throwing bricks, the room will settle into
      an unknown condition.  In other words, the wave function of
      the room will reform, and have to be collapsed by further bricks.
      The people are still probably in the room, just in unknown conditions.

  The point is that consciousness has as much to do with quantum physics
and AI, as throwing bricks into a dark room full of people.

--Brad (who wishes people would stop trying to tie quantum physics
    to consciousness and AI)


