Posthuman Blues

The Virtual Multiverse Theory of Free Will

"Some aspects of consciousness can be understood by thinking about the virtual multiverse models that parts of the brain construct, in order to model the brain as a whole. These virtual multiverse models are used to help guide the dynamics of the whole brain (on a slow time scale), and they are also continually updated to reflect the actual dynamics of the brain (on a faster time scale, occurring within a single subjective moment). The feeling of consciousness is in part the feeling of events in the whole brain being rapidly reflected in the changes in the virtual multiverse models maintained in parts of the brain . . . and these changes then causing further virtual-multiverse-model changes which then feed back to change the state of the whole brain again . . . etc."





The brain models itself in order to understand itself. OK. But could there be an infinite regress of internal simulations -- models of models of models, etc.? If so, then perhaps our brains have been obliged to evolve protein microtubules in order to tap the vast computing capacity of the multiverse.

Of course, other universes may not be governed by quantum mechanics, in which case any intelligent inhabitants would necessarily exist in a permanent state of Gurdjieffian autism.

Then again, what does consciousness truly "feel" like? How do we know we're conscious? We might be automatons lulled into a contrived sense of self in order to keep ourselves marginally sane . . .