| mind uploading research group |
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| Bruce Adams ``The Virtual Brain Machine Project'' | |
| submitted by Randal A. Koene | link verified Jan 3, 2001 |
| A project to develop software and hardware for the `simulating' (Ed.: This is assumed to refer to a process somewhat less precise than an emulation.) of an entire human brain. The software aims to use large but fairly simple artificial neural networks to simulate local brain functions. The hardware is based on currently available standard computing hardware, arranged in `Beowulf' parallel computing clusters. | |
| Karel Svoboda Lab: Changes in Neocortical Synapses and Neurons, 2-photon Microscopy | |
| submitted by Randal A. Koene | link verified Dec 6, 2000 |
| In recent months, Karel Svoboda and his lab memebers have achieved some impressive results, in efforts to image the detailed processes as sensory experience leads to synaptic and neuronal processes that cause changes in the connectivity of neuronal circuitry. A powerful tool used in this research is 2-photon microscopy. This approach is capable of imaging the onset and progression of calcium flows in synapses that respond to excitation. Viral transfection was used to transport fluorescent protein into neurons, dendrites and synapses, so that individual neurons, with their basal dendritic trees could be visualized up to about 300 microns below the surface, without the use of penetrating microelectrodes. | |
| Anatomically Accurate Neural Networks: Building a Hippocampus | |
| submitted by Randal A. Koene | link verified May 19, 2000 |
| The building of a Hippocampus is really just number 3 out of four very interesting research projects of Giorgio A. Ascoli described here. It is based on a technical report on the "Computational Neuroanatomy of the Hippocampus", which is now leading to a larger scale anatomical model of the rat hippocampus. A lot of attention has been paid to detail and significance levels. | |
| If Uploads Come First: The crack of a future dawn | |
| submitted by Ansgar Koene | link verified Dec. 16, 1999 |
| A nice piece about the economic and political consequences of uploading. Special attention is paid to the consequences of rapid ``procreation'' through self copying of uploaded individuals and the effects this might have on society. [Hanson] ends with a list of tips on how to prepare yourself if you think uploading is going to happen in your life time. | |
| Brain Death and Technological Change: Personal Identity, Neural Prostheses and Uploading | |
| submitted by Ansgar Koene | link verified Dec. 16, 1999 |
| The impact of uploading related technologies on legal issues such as determining when a person is legally dead. I got the impression that the author considers partial brain repair, following damage by illness or accidents, to be more socially acceptable then whole brain procedures such as the ones that will be required for mind uploading. As a consequence [James J. Hughes] does not seem to believe that whole brain procedures will be done in the near future. The article provides a nice line-up of various currently held views concerning the raltionship between the brain and personal identity. This includes the question whether higher brain functions such as consciousness need to have a biological substrate in order to retain huamn characteristics. | |
| Philosophy, Mind, etc. | |
| submitted by Keith Wiley | link verified Nov. 22, 1999 |
| Arnold Neumaier has put together an interesting website rife with links to sites all over the net discussing practically every aspect of philosophy, science, and religion (Christian religion primarily). There are sections on general philosophy, consciousness, and quantum mechanics, in addition to a wide variety of other thought-provoking topics. The collection of links includes papers by David J. Chalmers and Stuart Kauffman. In a word, a great jumping off point to other locations on the net. | |