[paper draft] Coalescing minds: brain uploading-related group mind scenarios

Kaj_Sotala

http://www.xuenay.net/Papers/CoalescingMinds.pdf

Abstract: We present a hypothetical process of mind coalescence, where artificial connections are created between two brains. This might simply allow for an improved form of communication. At the other extreme, it might merge two minds into one in a process that can be thought of as a reverse split-brain operation. We propose that one way mind coalescence might happen is via an exocortex, a prosthetic extension of the biological brain which integrates with the brain as seamlessly as parts of the biological brain integrate with each other. An exocortex may also prove to be the easiest route for mind uploading, as a person’s personality gradually moves from away from the aging biological brain and onto the exocortex. Memories might also be copied and shared even without minds being permanently merged. Over time, the borders of personal identity may become loose or even unnecessary.

Like my other draft, this is for the special issue on mind uploading in the International Journal of Machine Consciousness. The deadline is Oct 1st, so any comments will have to be quick for me to take them into account.

This one is co-authored with Harri Valpola.

EDIT: Improved paper on the basis of feedback; see this comment for the changelog.

http://www.xuenay.net/Papers/CoalescingMinds.pdf

Abstract: We present a hypothetical process of mind coalescence, where artificial connections are created between two brains. This might simply allow for an improved form of communication. At the other extreme, it might merge two minds into one in a process that can be thought of as a reverse split-brain operation. We propose that one way mind coalescence might happen is via an exocortex, a prosthetic extension of the biological brain which integrates with the brain as seamlessly as parts of the biological brain integrate with each other. An exocortex may also prove to be the easiest route for mind uploading, as a person’s personality gradually moves from away from the aging biological brain and onto the exocortex. Memories might also be copied and shared even without minds being permanently merged. Over time, the borders of personal identity may become loose or even unnecessary.

This one is co-authored with Harri Valpola.

EDIT: Improved paper on the basis of feedback; see this comment for the changelog.

Interesting. After reading a bunch of papers that more or less presumed uploads remaining separate individuals (e.g. Robin Hanson's If Uploads Come First, Carl Shulman's Whole Brain Emulation and the Evolution of Superorganisms), as well as a bunch of fiction also presuming it (Greg Egan's stuff, Eclipse Phase, etc.), the notion of mind coalescence being a more likely long-term (and possibly even short-term) outcome was somewhat of a viewquake for me.

I always figured it was a deliberate break from reality for repeatability and/or because it instantly leads to supehuman intelligence making predictions meaningless, and that it wasn't pointed out as unrealistic because it's so obviously plot magic that it didn't need to.

This kind of thing makes me wish even harder I could write and tell stories, although I'm starting to think it might be meaningless as it might be the very same alienness that causes both having something to say and being unable to say it. Like being able to think of myself as "alien&... (read more)

13

[paper draft] Coalescing minds: brain uploading-related group mind scenarios

13

13

13

[paper draft] Coalescing minds: brain uploading-related group mind scenarios

13

13