Stathis: Sure, you can't interact with the raindrop computation, but that doesn't mean it isn't conscious
Perhaps this conversation helps define something of consciousness - i.e. to be conscious, you have to be able to form and HOLD a representation/impression of the world around you, which could be just the simplest direct sense impression, as in simple one-celled organisms - and might not involve any REFLECTION (the power to recall images/sensory impressions later). But you have to be able to hold representations - KEEP LOOKING at something - IF you are seek goals, and get to that food. The bacteria have to keep zeroed in on that food they're "flagellating" towards.
Now that's what inanimate objects can't do - including raindrops. They may have continuously fleeting impressions of the world around, but those impressions do keep fleeting. Inanimate objects can't hold on to them. (Perhaps - though I can't give any reasonable explanation for this - they evolved in part in order to retain impressions).
Them's my first thoughts. Welcome responses.
------------------------------------------- singularity Archives: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/11983/=now RSS Feed: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/11983/ Modify Your Subscription: http://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=4007604&id_secret=96140713-a54b2b Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
