We are biological machines able to create artificial machines to help us achieve inconsequential goals… nothing more

Does this grim title capture how we perceive reality in 2022?

The huge complexity of reality forces us to use models. A model is a simplification that highlights certain features and provides a plausible explanation about how things work and interact.?

Let’s consider two models of a human being:

1.- Naturalism - Humans are machines that process symbolic data using rules and can learn via sub-symbolic intrinsic mechanisms, they are always pursuing goals such as pleasure, power, avoiding pain, and reducing fear. The human cognitive system came to be through natural selection. There is nothing beyond the physical world, which also came to be from nothing.??

2.- Creationism - Humans were created in the image of a superior primordial being. Their ability to think and feel is given by a non-physical module. There is a grand design and humans can achieve transcendence in different ways.

The first model is simpler as it is easier to deal just with bodies rather than bodies and souls. Considerable the amazing progress that has been made in computer science and cognitive science in terms of understanding the mind.?

Take for instance the cognitive architecture ACT-R (https://act-r.psy.cmu.edu/) ACT-R provides modules for visual and auditive inputs, the ability to execute motor actions, comprehensive implementation of memory-related activities, and an approach to create and use knowledge. You can tackle complex problems by adding chunks of declarative knowledge, for instance “today is Friday”, and firing rules that use and transform these chunks. Rules have access to the different modules of the architecture via buffers, in this way you can create complex behavior that involves cognition, perception, and action by firing larger and larger sets of rules. Learning occurs by getting feedback from the environment, so the rules that work better in the world have a higher utility.?

To get an idea of the variety of applications of cognitive modeling just check the publications available on the ACT-R site:?

For ACT-R we are agents that are always pursuing goals leveraging all our knowledge to achieve them. No room for a metaphysical component. Many researchers are creating theories about how the self-awareness module works, but in the end, we can expect that this will be another physical component. If naturalism is right, it is feasible to attain Artificial General Intelligence AGI, in the sense that the machines will eventually have a similar cognitive capacity as us (with steroids).????

But what about the other model? Can we just dismiss the existence of a spiritual world? A considerable number of fellow humans have this belief, perhaps yourself, many of us have experienced moments of incredible lucidity, profound awe, inexplicable fulfillment… I think that there is something there, I wouldn’t dare to provide guidance or opinion in this respect.?

What makes the title of this first newsletter grim is the part about “inconsequential goals”. If we (as a species) lack a ‘fundamental why’ in our lives, whatever we do will lack meaning. Even if our existence is the product of natural laws and chance, we should determine what is important to us and live a productive and responsible life, leaving a legacy for future generations.

If it turns out that there is a supreme being, we also should determine what is important to us and live a productive and responsible life, leaving a legacy for future generations.?

Technology is a ubiquitous component of modern life. I will be presenting different applications of data-related technologies in this newsletter, from the ideation stage to the adoption.?

I aim to provide a fresh perspective on how technology impacts our lives.?

Are we biological machines able to create artificial machines to help us live meaningful lives??

Please share your thoughts.