Abstract: In complexity, levels of information pile up. Their independence is relative. The term ‘adding’ levels overemphasizes discontinuity, while the term ‘deepening’ information overemphasizes continuity. The neologism “surimposing” information accounts for this dependence of the upper level on the lower, while giving it its own meaning.
jeanpierrelegros
Dear Reward Circuit
Pure altruism does not exist When I transmit information on the net, do I do so out of altruism, for the simple pleasure of spreading knowledge? I would like to be selfless, but no. ‘Simple pleasure’ is far more important than it seems. I seek to stimulate my reward circuits. Without this initial starter, I … Read more
The brain, this fabulator
Holes in experience are intolerable The section of the corpus callosum, this thick neural cable that unites the two cerebral hemispheres, has been performed in very severe forms of epilepsy. Side effect: the operated person ends up with two effector consciousnesses. Right and left hemibody are potentially autonomous. But they are still firmly attached, along … Read more
Awakening, consciousness, synchronization
Awake without being conscious? It is possible. Situation of the epileptic in grand mal seizure. He is apparently awake but absent, uncontrolled, left to autonomous muscle spasms. Conversely, consciousness is impossible without awakening. These statements attribute to consciousness two additional conditions, in addition to awakening: 1) Mind control over the body and the environment. 2) … Read more
The trap of the mathematical universe
The relative intransigence of quantification Let’s dive into the fundamental meaning of quantification. It implies an intransigent separation between individuations. Is the nature of this separation knowable? Yes, if we can reduce individuation to parties, whose relationships create discontinuity. The separation is therefore intransigent but not irreducible. Except by adopting foundationalism, that is, to postulate … Read more
Courage under the microscope
What is courage? Is it only a matter of context? Not just. Even if we easily see cowardice everywhere, we know how to recognize the exceptions: those who will show courage in all circumstances. What do these resistance fighters have in common? Courage is a mixture: survival instinct, controlled fear, danger faced, idealized self. Things … Read more
Does reality exist? Consciousness, simulation and decoherence in the Campbell experiment
Reality or simulation? Science & Vie echoes this month a quantum experiment “that can change everything”. The starting point is the simulation hypothesis. In 2003 Nick Bostrom, philosopher, notes that our descendants will have an exponential numerical power and draws 3 hypotheses: 1) Humanity will be extinct before being able to exploit it. 2) It … Read more
Sociology: Transclasses
Excellent interview with Chantal Jaquet about social classes on Philomag. Here is the augmented summary: Classes and transclasses The notion of ‘social class’, like any categorization, seeks to oppose different situations, economic (poor and rich), cultural (local and immigrant), intellectual (level of education), professional, symbolic (bear the name of Rothschild or Dupont). Deep social reality … Read more
Telecracy vs. Ontocracy
If there is an example of monumental crash among sociological prophets, it is the offensive against telecracy. As recently as 2006, Bernard Stiegler published ‘The Telecracy Against Democracy‘, in which he castigates the influence of the public on politics, replacing true public opinion. He denounces politics as resigning in the face of television, refusing to … Read more
Women, desire and consent
What is the history of female desire? Four eras 1) Pleasurocene: archaic epoch of the feminine condition. Raptor man. Sex governed by strict social conventions. The wife finds pleasure in marriage only by luck. Side effects: multiple infidelities, more or less tolerated depending on the time and the cultural background, allowing the woman to obtain … Read more