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Week 12 [20.01-26.01.20] Mind Uploading



It is the term defining the transfer of human consciousness or its copies, or at least their fragments from the biological brain to an artificial substitute. Many people wonder if there is life after death, but what if we try to avoid our "final destination" and just never die. Scientists and philosophers are still unable to determine exactly what a consciousness is but more and more indicate that it is closely related to the brain.



The human brain contains about 86 billion neurons interconnected by about 100 trillion synapses. 
At the moment, no one has been able to transfer human consciousness or its copy to the "artificial" brain for many reasons. One of them is the technological aspect, because current technology does not allow it. The human brain is too complex and complicated. 
Apart from the above-mentioned technological aspects, nobody knows what the process will really entail. 



If we could make copies of ourselves, what would happen next.  
It is wondering if you could treat such a person as a human being and how he would find himself in society. Equally interesting would be society's reaction, because for many people activities such as copying human consciousness could be unethical and immoral. 
Let's look at the very aspect of the transfer of human consciousness. 

It could be a chance for people with physical disabilities to live a normal life without any restrictions. It would also give prospects to help people who are unable to find themselves in society, transferring them to an artificially created world. The problem of outlaws could be solved in a similar way by locking them in a virtual prison. Of course, this also involves many dangers like condemning people to eternal torture, erasing one's consciousness, and much more. 






Prospects such as potential immortality, increased human brain potential, space travel, or the creation of multiple versions of the same man are increasing enthusiasm for more research. People will do everything to avoid death and make their dreams come true, the topic discussed in this article would bring them closer to it. There are already people who have decided to preserve their brains in the future, when the technology allows it to transfer their consciousness to a computer or other digital medium. In the era of the uncertain future of humanity on earth, caused by climate change, environmental degradation, a terrifyingly powerful nuclear weapon capable of wiping humanity off the face of the earth, the transfer of consciousness to a synthetic body or virtual world seems to be the last chance for survival.




Questions:

1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?

3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?




source:
https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/05/will-ever-able-upload-brain-computer-9819234/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_uploading




Comments

Maciej P s16488 said…
I would agree to transfer my consciousness only on my deathbad. There is a risk that after the transfer, counsciousness in new vessel will react like me, so noone will see the difference but it wouldn't be me anymore - more like a clone.
Scariest part is that if that was true, we would never know.
There is this theory about start trek, that whenever crew member got beamed up, he was actually killed while his copy was created.

I've never thought about that. We have a lot of time before it will be our problem. Except for that one thing I'm afraid of, I guess there would be no other issues for me.

There is a chance but I doubt it. I think that we are able to make a copy but original consciousness would either remain in original body or would be destroyed in the process.
Angelika Dutt said…
I would agree to the transfer of my consciousness for scientific purposes, because I consider it a big step for humanity. However, I would prefer it to be used only after my death.

In my opinion, copying the consciousness of living people is not ethical, because that is what life is about, that each of us is different and independent.

3. I think that in the future, we'll definitely be transferring the consciousness to the computer. I don't think there's anything impossible, everything is to be done, just the question of when. Surely many people will finance such research, because it is a way to prolong the lives of loved ones.
Paweł Hadacz said…

In fact, the possibility that a copy of your subconscious will take over your life seems really scary and that everyone will be convinced that it really is you. I also understand your point of view. Sometimes it's better to take care of something what is now than to think far into the future.
Paweł Hadacz said…

It's really inspirational that you are able to make the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. Don't you think that what makes us unique are our experiences and our decisions? An example would be twins. If you think that it will be possible to transfer consciousness to a computer in the future, Would you like it to be possible for your children or grandchildren?
1. Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?
I would categorically disagree with my consciousness.

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?
According to the religion prevailing in Poland, it is unethical to copy consciousness.
As for moral considerations, it is also generally accepted that consciousness should not be copied.

3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?
I think that in the future it will not be possible to transfer consciousness to a computer.
1. It would be nice to have a copy of myself, at least, somebody who would understand my jokes!

2. I can't see anything wrong with it. Sure, it can be used for unimaginable tortures or massive identity theft, however, I can't find an ethical argument against the idea itself.

3. I do believe we would be able to precisely copy our personality and memories to the computer, but it will be only a copy. A backup, not us. Think about it like this, let's say I can copy myself, therefore, there could be two of me at the same time. If I'm still there, the other me is just a perfect twin, not me. Hence I cannot longer my life through copying. This technology could be used to preserve great minds; scientists, doctors, engineers, but it will be only legacy, not immortality.
Yurii Gevtsi said…
No, I definitely wouldn't like to transfer my consciousness. I recently watched the series Black Mirror, and there were several different episodes on this theme. One episode was that a person close to death could transfer his consciousness to the digital world, to the fictional town of San Junipero and live on there in a young and healthy appearance in an perfect world, but even there everything is not as good as it may seem. I highly recommend watching this episode "black mirror San Junipero".

The second episode that I remembered is Black Mirror "White Christmas". It's about a story where a woman decides to copy her consciousness into her smart home. Thus, the smart home system will know everything about its owner as this house is its consciousness. This house will know all her habits when she gets up, what eats and so on, but the most interesting thing in this is not the end result, but the path to it, and what happened to this consciousness. I also recommend this episode for viewing.
1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?

It's a very difficult question. On the one hand, it gives an opportunity to remain "immortal", but on the other hand I do not know if people are ready to live forever. I don't think I would have done that.

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?

Many moral and ethical questions arise. What if, for example, a person close to us is going to die, can we transfer his/her consciousness to a computer? Will it still be the same person and how should we treat him/her? Should we create artificial bodies in order to bring him/her back to life? This is only a part of my thoughts but I can't even imagine such a situation so I am not able to answer these questions either.

3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?

I think we'll never fully understand the human mind. We still don't know what exactly consciousness and intelligence is and how exactly it works. Therefore, I think we will never be able to copy our consciousness.
Roman Dubovyi said…
1. I don’t think I would enjoy someone having a copy of my consciousness on his PC :).
I would never do it.

2. Well it’s obvious that the copy of a person will never be that person, just a copy. I don’t know about you, but I get uncomfortable vibes from a though that I will be sitting next to a copy of a person who was close to me.

3. We cannot figure out brain, I don’t think that it is something we will be able to do. Even if will be possible to map the brain, I don’t think we will figure out how to “run” it.
Kgajewska said…
1. No, I don't think so. It's quite scarry thing to do and the threats are too big to even risk my mind.

2. The whole idea is so surreal. I do see some good sides of it but the ethical aspects could block innovation. Like, okay, when copying someone mind serves a bigger cause and can guarantee better life level, that's nice, that's fine. But what if. What if somebody will use this mechanism to hurt or somebody wil copy mind without any clear permission? For me the risk is too high to even consider coping my consciousness.

3. I think so, maybe humankind won't be able to completely copy brain but maybe some part of it? I just hope it's not in the near future.
Paweł Hadacz said…

I agree that in countries where people have quite conservative views like Poland, it is very likely that such actions would be considered unethical and immoral.

1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?
No, despite the work I do, I don't want to fully undergo digitization. I would be stripped of my privacy.

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?
I totally disagree with this and rejects me. Maybe there are many advantages that are undoubtedly attractive, but let's look at the time when we didn't have so much electronics around and people talked to each other. People were happier then.

3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?
In the image that I see it ---- not, but we will certainly have the opportunity to do it at least partially.
1. With the current development of technology rather not.
2. I think that this is unethical and can have a number of consequences. The main threat will definitely be copying awareness without permission for the purpose of financial benefits.
3. I believe that it will be possible in a few years. If we could also expand awareness using a computer, we would have to deal with a breakthrough.

1. I would agree to transfer it if I know it is a secure thing. It would be great to life forever, or have a backup of your consiousness in the virtual world. To be honest I would really try it, moreover there is an interesting book "homo deus" I would recommend to read it,

2. I think there is nothing wrong about copying consciusness, it is my decision. It is known that the world is not equal and if we chave an opportunity we should take it. Of course if it worth of it, This one seems like worth of it.

3. I am sure that it would be possible. It is very dangerous but probably the most powerfull people in the world would do it.
Cem Ates said…
1.Would you agree to transfper your consciousness?
Google already has...They know me better than I know myself.

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?
I don't know anything about the moral aspects but if you make a copy of one person's consciousness and run it simultaneously, should be considered the same entity as while it was a human? If one had commited a crime in the past, should the other be blamed? When you can just copy yourself, how could you punish a crime anyway? What if they were copies several years ago, and have since diverged? Pff.. though questions.

3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?
Maybe.
Mehmet KONUK said…
1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?
Why not. It can be a good experience. But after security and work, I would accept it, provided that my consciousness remained in place
2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?
I don't think it's ethical. After all, your consciousness is your first and foremost privacy. Something special for you. It would not be good to share it anywhere or back it up somewhere
3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?
there is a possibility, but who knows. We will see in the future
1. If it’s a guaranteed success then it really sounds like an immortality in a potentially perfect world, so why not?
2. Well, it should be strongly consensual with full explanation to a volunteer what awaits them and so on. There is a lot of possibilities for something to go wrong.
3. “I want to believe” but for now it’s nothing more than just a fuel for sci-fi product.
1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?

Only if I were in position of an incoming and inevitable death. If I were supposed to die or lose my ability to communicate I would agree to “change my host body”.

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?

Everything depends on a context. If it is supposed to help people not to lose their contact with the world – it is fine. However, if the point is to take advantage of somebody – then I think it is immoral.

3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?

I have no idea when, but one day it will be possible. There are some many amazing inventions which people thought are impossible that I consider consciousness transfer to be one of them.
Mykola Suprun said…
1) Hard to say, I certainly would not agree to it now, but I guess when you became older and ever so more afraid of death, you will start to consider every possibility. I'm afraid it is a way too complicated topic to consider, and I'm way too young to consider it seriously.
2) I don't have anything to say against the idea, but considering the implications of being able to copy the consciousness makes me scared, to say the least. The best I can hope for is that the development of technologies would be slow enough for us to figure out how to consider and deal with potential problems.
3) Yes, I think it will eventually be possible, assuming that it is the direction in which technology will keep developing, which is not given.
Kyrylo said…
1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?
Nope. I somewhat value my mortality and would never choose being immortal, stranded in this world. Let me move on.

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?
If it is a choice of free will then why not? Other than than -- a natural course of progress.

3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?
Quite possible. Why not?
1. I'd have to consider it very much, but I don't think so.
2. In general, I believe that morality often blocks development but in this case it could be dangerous.
3. Not necessarily in this form as we imagine it, but some form of copying our mind I think will be possible.
Hell yeah! I would totally agree to transfer my consciousness to computer for example. Just not yet. It means that right now when I have healthy body and I am still young I want to live my life normally and try everything on my own. But someday in the future when I will be old and unable to do a lot of things just because my body is not as good as it was before I would totally agree to transfer my consciousness somewhere else, to a robot for example. I think that ethical and moral issues of mind copying are quite complex. Let’s say a human clone which has exact same mind as original person, is a human being? I think it is but then what humans can create new humans? It is really hard aspect and I’m sure all of this will have to be discussed before any of this can happen. I think that everything can be possible in the future so why not consciousness transfer. It was a subject of a movie or two.
Ivan Mazuryk said…
1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?
Only if I was 90 years old and this is a chance to continue the life.
2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?
This makes no sense to "copy" the consciousness. What for is this? I think the better description is to transfer the consciousness. On my opinion this is okay from ethical and moral aspect. We have one life and it is always better to try then not to try and regret then.
3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?
I have no idea. I do not know if those technologies are being developed in real life.
dominik.samsel said…
1.Would you agree to transfer your consciousness?
No I wouldn't, I think I wouldn't be the same person after such operation. Everything I care about is thanks to my consciousness, I wouldn't change a thing.

2. What do you think about the ethical and moral aspects of copying consciousness?
I believe that we were given certain time to be alive. Faking it, prolonging artificially your life is not acceptable by me.


3. Do you think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future?
At some point in time I think it will be possible. At the same time I think it will be only affordable to billionaires.
1. I can't actually decide when I think about it. It's hard decision to make, and definitely not one you can decide on after few days of considering not mentioning a short while of reading post.

2. I would first consider how much do we actually know about human consciousness and personality. We still don't know much about physical functioning of human brain not to mention intellectuality or thoughts. It's still too inconclusive.

3. I guess at some point it sounds reasonable to assume that we would be able to somehow possess ability to storage some form of human consciousness. But not necessarily on computers.
Paweł Hadacz said…
A really interesting point of view. Don't you think that researching something as subtle as human consciousness that could be subjected to various tests is not a lack of respect for a person as an emotional being?
Paweł Hadacz said…
I definitely have to watch this series. Thanks for the recommendation. What are your thinking about transfering consciousness after this series?
Paweł Hadacz said…
Yes, the human brain is still a mystery to scientists and despite numerous studies, the number of questions is still growing. Still, I think it's a matter of time to get to know the human brain enough.
Paweł Hadacz said…
It is hard for me to imagine the situation that I am sitting next to someone's copy, I would not be in my comfort zone at least at the beginning.
Paweł Hadacz said…
Innovation and ethics seems to be two sides of the same coin in this situation.
Paweł Hadacz said…
I wonder if people would go crazy living forever. Everything will eventually bore them and they will experience countless suffering and pain.
Nice article, reminds me of a movie from Johnny Deep where he transferred his consciousness to a computer making himself immortal.
Personally, I would not like to transfer my consciousness, but it is certainly a cool thing. It seems to me that scientists should do this
do, maybe it would speed up our development. Hard to answer your second question, but I think it will be
big controversy among believers etc. As for the last question, I think it will be possible but controversial.
I don't know in how many years it will be possible, but maybe it'll do it :)
1. Yes, I think I would agree to transfer my consciousness because it might not be exactly me but still a kind of a copy. If anything would happen on earth or with my real life I will be still existing in virtual world and it might give this copy of me a chance to live a better life than on earth.
2. In those aspects it is kind immoral because you can’t copy your life and live in two places at the same time. But for some of us (like for people with physical disabilities) it is a good chance to life a better life or for others to stars everything from the beginning.
3. I’ve been playing game name “SOMA” which was based on this topic. The game shows exactly how it might look like and I was really impressed by this game and recommend it if anyone wants to see how transferring consciousness would be done. I actually believe that one day it might be possible because now we have such a high technology which allow as to do things we haven’t even been thinking of. It is a rough topic but possible to happen in the feature.
s15740 said…
Yes, I would. I don`t see anything that is unethical or unmoral here. If future technology will be so fantastic that we could transfer our minds into computers, maybe we will reach the highest level of society. Everything will be clear and transparently. There will be no need in states as instruments to manage. We will be closer to the Hegel`s “civil society” scheme. Sounds great!
On my opinion, transferring consciousness to the computer will be possible in future, for hundred percent. But not in close future, I bet that it will be real not earlier then in five hundred years.
(“Altered the Carbon”, Richard Morgan, 2002).
Jakub Kisiała said…

1. At this moment I would not agree to transfer my consciousness but I am wondering what would I do in the future when I would be old. It is possible that I could change my mind.
2. I don't think that copying consciousness is ethically and morally wrong, under condition that the person agrees to it.
3. Technologies are developing at a rapid pace, therefore I think that transferring consciousness to a computer will be possible in the future.
1. I think I could consider it. I believe that our consciousness has unlimited possibilities and can do much more than we think. All that remains is to use our consciousness wisely.

2. I would leave the ethical and moral aspects to individual considerations. I believe that against the will of a human being, no one should make decisions. Everyone has the rights to decide for themselves. If someone agrees to such measures, current technology should make it available to them.

3. I hope so. The human brain has unexplored sectors that could be used for research purposes or to learn about its functioning in its entirety.
Jakub Magnowski said…
1. I wouldn’t agree to transfer my consciousness. I wouldn’t feel comfortable knowing, that somewhere there is a copy of my personality and someone can just use it for his own purposes

2. I think that human consciousness should remain unique. Nobody should have a right to sentence anybody to prison for eternity, or to use a copy of human consciousness like yet another processing unit.

3. I think that this is possible, but not for at least next 100 years. Human brain is to complicated and currently we are not able to create a virtual reality that after some time wouldn’t seem predictable and repetitive
1. This is beyond my conviencement, that you switch my existence to someone else's. Maybe just the memory, but still then how would they be able to recreate all the emotions and events within themselves. It all seems quite unintuitive and distant to me.
It is definetely a vision of the future, which might not become reality, we should be hesitant to modify ourselves. It very possible, that the human race might become extinct, as a result of too much intrusion into their own bodies.


2. I can imagine, that in the future people might transfer their consciousness into artifical bodies, in order to extend their lives, or to prolong them.We want to sustain ourselves, which is prefectly understandable. I can envision, that people will
for example take the most valuable genes within a population and then inject them into their offspring. So called superhumans will be artifical breed, it appears as scary vision, as soom leaders will be tempted to create powerful armies or large corporation
will try to populate their organisation with exceptionally smart employees.


3. I think, it might be scary idea, as all of our memories,knowledge would be exposed to being revealed to openness, so this way our privacy
could be stolen or subject to blackmail,extortion.etc. I can image the usage as in the movie "The Matrix" were certain skill could be added
to other people's sets of abilities at occasions. This might make learning easier and more efficient.




Piotr Gralicki said…
Apart from the subject, my first thought was about the netflix series "altered carbon" :p
That depends, if I would be young and seriosuly sick i would definietly agree to that. In the other hand when i would be old and already had wonderful life i dont think it would be so important for me to live next life.
Hmm, when You will consider artifical body like
hand prosthesis it sounds good, but uploading my consciousness to the internet or making copies ? It's not ethical at all. One consciousness should be unique thru whole world. Moving it from original body to artifical one is one thing, but copying and propaging is other one.
I think it will be posiible in 5-10 years.
Agnieszka L said…
1. No I wouldn't agree because I am very curious what nature will do with my
consciousness after death. At the same time, the vision of eternal life really scares me.

2. I think it's unethical as long as the copied consciousness depends on its creator - being
independent is a fundamental human right - even only copied mind without a body
should have basic rights. Despite good intensions digitization of the consciousness may
lead to abuse and serious mistakes.

3. In my opinion, digitization of the mind is impossible, because the state of the
body also affects our personality.

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