Brains: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Brain- | [[File:Purple-Brain-Image.jpg|thumb|No magic, just [[neurons]]]] | ||
The brain is that thing in your head that makes you do stuff. | |||
== The Mind/Body Relationship Summarized == | == The Mind/Body Relationship Summarized == | ||
| Line 7: | Line 9: | ||
== Know Thyself == | == Know Thyself == | ||
Understanding the basic functions of the brain should be a [[necessary prerequisite]] for life in modern society. Since we are nothing more than self-aware brains, we should be aware of how the brain creates the self. This section will attempt to provide a general summary of the most important aspects of [[neurophysiology]] and [[psychology]] needed to understand the mind/body relationship and how [[feedback]] from our environment shapes our thoughts and [[behavior]]. | Understanding the basic functions of the brain should be a [[necessary prerequisite]] for life in modern [[society]]. Since we are nothing more than [[self-aware]] [[brains]], we should be aware of how the brain creates the self. This section will attempt to provide a general summary of the most important aspects of [[neurophysiology]] and [[psychology]] needed to understand the mind/body relationship and how [[feedback]] from our environment shapes our thoughts and [[behavior]]. | ||
== Neural Networks == | == Neural Networks == | ||
The brain is a very complex [[neural network]]. Understanding how a simple [[neural network]] | The brain is a very complex [[neural network]]. Understanding how a simple [[neural network]] functions is the most important [[Necessary prerequisite|prerequisite]] to understanding the brain. The functions are identical, just on a much larger scale. | ||
== Artificial Intelligence == | == Artificial Intelligence == | ||
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model Large Language Models] in AI, a topic currently in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist zeitgeist], are likewise based on [[neural networks]]. Observing the behavior of LLMs, from repeating [[misinformation]] to casual [[racism]], helps us understand our own. | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model Large Language Models] in [[AI]], a topic currently in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist zeitgeist], are likewise based on [[neural networks]]. Observing the behavior of LLMs, from repeating [[misinformation]] to casual [[racism]], helps us understand our own. | ||
== Other Brain Related Pages == | == Other Brain Related Pages == | ||
* [[Psychology]] | * [[Psychology]] | ||
* [[Consciousness]] and [[Mind]] | |||
* [[God Concept]] | * [[God Concept]] | ||
* [[Psychedelics]] | |||
* [[Self-aware|Self-Awareness]] | |||
* [[Cognitive Dissonance]] | * [[Cognitive Dissonance]] | ||
* [[Short Term Rewards and Long Term Consequences]] | * [[Salience|Motivational Salience]] | ||
* [[Short Term Rewards and Long Term Consequences|Delayed Gratification and Temptation]] | |||
* [[Addiction]] | |||
* [[Placebo effect|Placebo Effect]] | |||
* [[Happiness and Well-Being]] | |||
== Brains on Brains == | == Brains on Brains == | ||
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People using their brains to discuss how brains work. Basic brain anatomy and basic functions are part of standard biology coursework and are familiar to most people. However, the study of [[neural networks]] is not typically part of a basic [[science]] education, even though it is fundamental to understanding both ourselves and the [[AI]] that we'll all soon be working for. | People using their brains to discuss how brains work. Basic brain anatomy and basic functions are part of standard biology coursework and are familiar to most people. However, the study of [[neural networks]] is not typically part of a basic [[science]] education, even though it is fundamental to understanding both ourselves and the [[AI]] that we'll all soon be working for. | ||
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKc8nfPATI||center||frame}} | {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKc8nfPATI||center|Intro to The Brain|frame}} | ||
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7QBnuF6dHg||center|Decoding the Brain|frame}} | |||
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU6LfXNeQM4||center|Your Brain: Perception Deception|frame}} | |||
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= | {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ6VOOd73MA||center|Your Brain: Who's in Control?|frame}} | ||
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= | {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFdkM40KOhE||center||frame}} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:15, 26 January 2024
The brain is that thing in your head that makes you do stuff.
The Mind/Body Relationship Summarized
The brain is the source of consciousness. The notion of mind-body dualism is rejected by materialism. It follows that free will does not exist and all of our actions are deterministic. But ethically and legally we must still pretend it does.
Know Thyself
Understanding the basic functions of the brain should be a necessary prerequisite for life in modern society. Since we are nothing more than self-aware brains, we should be aware of how the brain creates the self. This section will attempt to provide a general summary of the most important aspects of neurophysiology and psychology needed to understand the mind/body relationship and how feedback from our environment shapes our thoughts and behavior.
Neural Networks
The brain is a very complex neural network. Understanding how a simple neural network functions is the most important prerequisite to understanding the brain. The functions are identical, just on a much larger scale.
Artificial Intelligence
Large Language Models in AI, a topic currently in the zeitgeist, are likewise based on neural networks. Observing the behavior of LLMs, from repeating misinformation to casual racism, helps us understand our own.
Other Brain Related Pages
- Psychology
- Consciousness and Mind
- God Concept
- Psychedelics
- Self-Awareness
- Cognitive Dissonance
- Motivational Salience
- Delayed Gratification and Temptation
- Addiction
- Placebo Effect
- Happiness and Well-Being
Brains on Brains
People using their brains to discuss how brains work. Basic brain anatomy and basic functions are part of standard biology coursework and are familiar to most people. However, the study of neural networks is not typically part of a basic science education, even though it is fundamental to understanding both ourselves and the AI that we'll all soon be working for.