[MURG] Re: X-Prize

[Eric Zilli]

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 09:05:04 +0100, Sim Bamford <sim at plaything.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> Suggested Name of Challenge (i.e. WTN X PRIZE for ****)
> 
> Individual Simulation
> 

I prefer human brain simulation still.

> Brief Description of Suggested Challenge (No more than 600 words
> please)
> 
> A volunteer is to be scanned or otherwise recorded from. The data
> gained is to be used to create an accurate computer simulation of
> the individual, which can run in real time.
> 

Again, you're unclear on what's being simulated. When you say you're
simulating the individual, are you simulating their entire body? Only
the nervous system? Only their head?

> 
> 3) The environment in which the simulated individual is placed
> may be modelled by any means. However it must be demonstrated
> that it is data from the scanning or recording procedure alone
> which is used to create the simulation of the individual.
> 

I think this limitation should be lifted. I've never imagined the
uploading to take place entirely and only using data from the scan. In
my mind the procedure may use a large database on the human brain,
listing location, structure, and electrophysiological properties of
most classes of cells in the brain. I think it's safe to say it would
be too difficult to take such measurements of every last cell, so
using the scanning technology to gather approximate measures, then
comparing these with the database to find the best matching cell,
which is then used in the simulation, may be preferable. (Of course, a
lot of data must come from the scan too, such as synaptic connections
and their strengths).

> 4) In all experimental procedures of candidate organisations, the
> simulated individual to be treated ethically and afforded, to the
> greatest degree possible, human rights. All candidate
> organisations to place themselves under the authority of a group
> consisting of all candidate organisations regarding ethical
> procedures, in addition to any authorities which may also be
> deemed applicable.
> 

The first line should say "simulated individual is to be," you left
out the verb. I'm also unclear as to the meaning of the second
sentence--it's a bit confusingly written.


-- 
Eric Zilli
Hasselmo Lab - Computational Neurophysiology
Center for Memory and Brain
Boston University
2 Cummington St.
Boston MA, 02215
digfarenough at gmail.com -- www.digfarenough.com