On 26 March 2014 14:49, Stathis Papaioannou <stath...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 26 March 2014 12:40, LizR <lizj...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> >> Yes, that's what I was trying to get at. Assuming that consciousness >> arises somehow from the quantum state of your brain, and assuming that >> identical quantum states are sufficiently identical that consciousness >> continues when your quantum state is duplicated, regardless of where that >> happens (as Frank Tipler assumes when he says you can die and wake up in a >> simulated version of yourself at the end of time) - then you effectively >> exist in all the (infinite number of) places your brain's quantum state >> does. I've heard from my good friend the internet that the number of >> possible quantum states a brain can be in is around 10 ^ 10 ^ 70, which >> probably makes the nearest exact copy of my brain quite a long way away >> (assuming an infinite universe with the same laws of physics throughout, >> and similar initial conditions, and ergodicity whatever that is, etc, etc). >> But given worlds enough and time, as we are in eternal inflation for >> example, I'm virtually guaranteed to be peppered around the place, a >> monstrous regiment which you will be pleased to know is ridiculously far >> away, well beyond our cosmic horizon for a googolplex years to come. >> >> However, this assumes these copies are all me, or maybe I should start >> using the Royal "we" from now on (if my name hasn't given that away >> already). So I am she as she is me as you are me and we are all together, >> except for you. To not assume this - to assume these are all different >> people who happen to think they are me - is I think the same as assuming >> that identical quantum states can nevertheless be distinguished, somehow - >> but I believe the observed properties of BECs argues against this? >> > > What is the difference between the copies being you and only thinking they > are you? > Well, quite, that's what I just said. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to everything-list@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.