When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest.
- Henry David Thoreau -
Condensing fact from the vapor of nuance since 2003
24.6.05
16.6.05
Feliz aquele que administra sabiamente
a tristeza e aprende a reparti-la pelos dias
Podem passar os meses e os anos nunca lhe faltará
Oh! como é triste envelhecer à porta
entretecer nas mãos um coração tardio
Oh como é triste arriscar em humanos regressos
o equilíbrio azul das extremas manhãs do verão
ao longo do mar transbordante de nós
no demorado adeus da nossa condição
É triste no jardim a solidão do sol
vê-lo desde o rumor e as casas da cidade
até uma vaga promessa de rio
e a pequenina vida que se concede às unhas
Mais triste é termos de nascer e morrer
e haver árvores ao fim da rua
É triste ir pela vida como quem
regressa e entrar humildemente por engano pela morte dentro
É triste no outono concluir
que era o verão a única estação
Passou o solitário vento e não o conhecemos
e não soubemos ir até ao fundo da verdura
como rios que sabem onde encontrar o mar
e com que pontes com que ruas com que gentes com que montes conviver
através de palavras de uma água para sempre dita
Mas o mais triste é recordar os gestos de amanhã
Triste é comprar castanhas depois da tourada
entre o fumo e o domingo na tarde de novembro
e ter como futuro o asfalto e muita gente
e atrás a vida sem nenhuma infância
revendo tuido isto algum tempo depois
A tarde morre pelos dias fora
É muito triste andar por entre Deus ausente
Mas, ó poeta, administra a tristeza sabiamente.
- Ruy Belo
15.6.05
29.5.05
(segue excerto)
Orchestrated Objective Reduction of Quantum Coherence in Brain Microtubules: The "Orch OR" Model for Consciousness
Stuart Hameroff and Roger Penrose
ABSTRACT
Features of consciousness difficult to understand in terms of conventional neuroscience have evoked application of quantum theory, which describes the fundamental behavior of matter and energy. In this paper we propose that aspects of quantum theory (e.g. quantum coherence) and of a newly proposed physical phenomenon of quantum wave function "self-collapse"(objective reduction: OR -Penrose, 1994) are essential for consciousness, and occur in cytoskeletal microtubules and other structures within each of the brain's neurons. The particular characteristics of microtubules suitable for quantum effects include their crystal-like lattice structure, hollow inner core, organization of cell function and capacity for information processing. We envisage that conformational states of microtubule subunits (tubulins) are coupled to internal quantum events, and cooperatively interact (compute) with other tubulins. We further assume that macroscopic coherent superposition of quantum-coupled tubulin conformational states occurs throughout significant brain volumes and provides the global binding essential to consciousness. We equate the emergence of the microtubule quantum coherence with pre-conscious processing which grows (for up to 500 milliseconds) until the mass-energy difference among the separated states of tubulins reaches a threshold related to quantum gravity. According to the arguments for OR put forth in Penrose (1994), superpositioned states each have their own space-time geometries. When the degree of coherent mass-energy difference leads to sufficient separation of space-time geometry, the system must choose and decay (reduce, collapse) to a single universe state. In this way, a transient superposition of slightly differing space-time geometries persists until an abrupt quantum classical reduction occurs. Unlike the random, "subjective reduction"(SR, or R) of standard quantum theory caused by observation or environmental entanglement, the OR we propose in microtubules is a self-collapse and it results in particular patterns of microtubule-tubulin conformational states that regulate neuronal activities including synaptic functions. Possibilities and probabilities for post-reduction tubulin states are influenced by factors including attachments of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) acting as "nodes"which tune and "orchestrate"the quantum oscillations. We thus term the self-tuning OR process in microtubules "orchestrated objective reduction"("B>Orch OR", and calculate an estimate for the number of tubulins (and neurons) whose coherence for relevant time periods (e.g. 500 milliseconds) will elicit Orch OR. In providing a connection among 1) pre-conscious to conscious transition, 2) fundamental space-time notions, 3) non-computability, and 4) binding of various (time scale and spatial) reductions into an instantaneous event ("conscious now", we believe Orch OR in brain microtubules is the most specific and plausible model for consciousness yet proposed.
...snip...27.5.05
Yes, how can we know that you're there IRL when you're not in this
forum? Or why should society be based on bigot certainties rather
than sensible, equitative doubt?* (end ecoanarchistobjective mode)
* the answer to this apparently profound question is that if people
stick to the suicide of thought and reason on the grounds of parity
and tolerance, then one day, nobody will be able to replace a lightbulb
because "we" will be all wondering if electricity exists or is it just
another subjective concept.

