Brain Inspired BI 103 Randal Koene and Ken Hayworth: The Road to Mind Uploading
Apr 26, 2021
In a fascinating discussion, neuroscientists Ken Hayworth and Randal Koene delve into mind uploading and the potential for whole brain emulation. Ken, known for his work on brain preservation, introduces innovative methods like aldehyde stabilized cryopreservation. Randal advocates for understanding both the scan-and-copy and gradual replacement approaches to achieve substrate-independent minds. They discuss the philosophical and practical implications of these technologies, emphasizing the challenges in converting brain reconstructions into functional models.
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Two Practical Paths To Whole Brain Emulation
- Two plausible paths to substrate-independent minds are 'scan-and-copy' and 'gradual replacement'.
- Scan-and-copy preserves structure for future emulation while gradual replacement substitutes parts in vivo over time.
A Neuroscientist's Turn To Preservation
- Ken Hayworth describes his work building electron microscopes and why that led him to brain preservation.
- He believes current neuroscience lets us preserve brains today for potential future emulation.
Childhood Pivot From Rockets To Minds
- Ken recounts discovering information-as-substrate at age 12 and switching from rocket fantasies to neuroscience.
- He realized information could travel independent of biology and pivoted toward preserving and transmitting minds.