Intensity

[LastThursday]

Can consciousness be captured inside a machine?

To a certain extent, yes. We watch TV, play computer games and listen to music. And we can escape into those media.

What exactly about conciousness can be captured?

Well, a computer is all numbers. Numbers are ordered into a one dimensional number line. But computers can reproduce sights and sounds and even touch.

What's the common element between all these computery happenings?

Intensity.

That's what allows computers to reproduce a slice of reality. They encode a slice of 'reality' by using a sliding scale of intensity.

The insensity can be anything, from 'black' to 'bright red' or 'silent' to very loud 'drum beat'. Take a moment and think about why computers are so good at reproducing reality. Why do you get completely absorbed in a TV programme or computer game or pornography?

What about our ordinary concious happenings is so special that it can be captured and re-played? What is it exactly?