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DN-1: prettier, husky, password protection of test #22

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merged 35 commits into from
Jun 11, 2024
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f4ee34c
DN-1: Husky for testing etc.
dereckmezquita Apr 26, 2024
fb2bfbf
DN-1: Moved @types packages to dev deps and prettier on all code.
dereckmezquita Apr 26, 2024
557d3c9
DN-1: Version bump.
dereckmezquita Apr 26, 2024
f43c362
DN-1: Using local env file.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
0dde437
DN-1: Server reference.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
440bb12
DN-1: Branch name test.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
a9e3d6e
DN-1: Systemctl file for running test derecksnotes.com
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
8711723
DN-1: Running with nvm.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
29ffe1b
DN-1: Better scripts for building.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
16f3ed6
DN-1: Release dev workflow.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
9b35871
DN-1: Source bashrc.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
029a1a8
DN-1: Use branch name directly.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
3cac6f1
DN-1: Testing branch name.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
f1ef88d
DN-1: Forgot to delcare var
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
066bf5b
DN-1: Trying to print current branch name.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
144c3a8
DN-1: Forgot to delcare var2
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
f04a65f
DN-1: Forgot to delcare var3
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
07c1d16
DN-1: Clean up workflow, test 1.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
63c5417
DN-1: Sourcing nvm.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
163e725
DN-1: Correct sudo to run restart servers.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
ede8a8e
DN-1: Source bashrc to have keys for git.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
f1b0342
DN-1: Source bashrc to have keys for git.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
d416e4d
DN-1: Explicit commands.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
7edf2bd
DN-1: Typo.
dereckmezquita Apr 29, 2024
0ba43ba
DN-1: Husky scripts.
dereckmezquita Apr 30, 2024
391bd5d
DN-1: Docker deploy workflow.
dereckmezquita May 1, 2024
585c433
DN-1: Not using docker.
dereckmezquita May 1, 2024
881fb48
DN-1: Password protection on test site.
dereckmezquita May 1, 2024
66e598c
DN-1: Fixed typings for set-cookie.
dereckmezquita May 1, 2024
3e85c88
DN-1: Moved to yarn.
dereckmezquita May 1, 2024
cf90b5c
DN-1: Don't need .env file, only for build.
dereckmezquita May 1, 2024
fb1d487
DN-1: Consciousness article draft.
dereckmezquita May 3, 2024
ea469e0
DN-1: Clean up.
dereckmezquita Jun 11, 2024
6265de3
DN-1: Reworking blog post.
dereckmezquita Jun 11, 2024
2eea5c5
DN-1: Clean up and drafts before major rehaul.
dereckmezquita Jun 11, 2024
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DN-1: Clean up and drafts before major rehaul.
dereckmezquita committed Jun 11, 2024
commit 2eea5c52630f44a3d0f3829a88b0da24b9a8e91d
60 changes: 60 additions & 0 deletions writing/blog/temp.md
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---
title: "Consciousness: An Emergent Illusion? Unraveling the Intricate Dance of the Brain's Networks"
blurb: "A provocative exploration of consciousness as a spectrum of complexity arising from neural network interactions"
coverImage: 312
author: "Dereck Mezquita"
date: 2023-10-16
tags: [science, neuroscience, consciousness, brain, psychology]
published: true
comments: true
---

## Table of contents

## Introduction: A Spectrum of Consciousness

The enigma of consciousness has long captivated philosophers and scientists alike. After years of research and introspection, I propose a theory that challenges conventional wisdom: Consciousness, as we perceive it, may be an illusion arising from the complex interactions of neural networks within our brains. This article explores the foundations of this idea, presenting evidence and arguments that support this perspective.

Central to this theory is the notion that consciousness exists on a spectrum, with increasing complexity of neurological pathways leading to higher levels of consciousness. This suggests that even simple creatures like ants possess some level of consciousness, albeit less complex than that of mammals like cats and dogs. As the intricacy of neural networks increases, so too does the richness of the conscious experience.

## The Illusion of Unity: A Byproduct of Network Communication

Our brain, a marvel of evolution, comprises billions of neurons connected through intricate pathways. These connections form distinct networks, each responsible for a unique aspect of our cognitive functions. Crucially, these networks don't operate in isolation but are in constant communication, transferring and sharing information.

Our sense of a unified, continuous consciousness may itself be an illusion, a byproduct of this ceaseless communication between disparate neural networks. Split-brain research, where patients have undergone surgical severing of the corpus callosum, provides compelling evidence for this. These patients exhibit two discrete streams of consciousness, suggesting that our perceived unity of self is a construct of network interactions rather than an inherent property.

## Addressing Counterarguments: The Hard Problem and Qualia

Critics of this theory might argue that it fails to address the "hard problem" of consciousness - the subjective, experiential aspect often referred to as qualia. How can the rich, vivid nature of conscious experience arise from mere network interactions?

While this is a challenging question, recent advancements in our understanding of complex systems suggest that emergent properties can indeed give rise to qualitatively novel phenomena. The wetness of water, for example, emerges from the interactions of H2O molecules, despite not being a property of any individual molecule. Similarly, the subjective richness of consciousness may emerge from the complex interplay of neural networks, even if it is not reducible to any single network's activity.

Furthermore, the spectrum view of consciousness allows for the gradual emergence of qualia as network complexity increases. Simple networks, like those found in insects, may support rudimentary forms of subjective experience, while the highly intricate networks of the human brain give rise to the full depth and breadth of conscious experience.

## The Evolutionary Advantage of Distributed Consciousness

From an evolutionary perspective, a decentralized, network-based model of consciousness offers significant advantages over a centralized one. This distributed architecture allows for more flexible, context-dependent responses to environmental challenges. The constant cross-talk between networks enables the rapid integration of information and the generation of adaptive behaviors.

Moreover, the spectrum view of consciousness suggests that the evolutionary emergence of subjective experience may have been a gradual process, with increasingly complex networks supporting greater levels of awareness and self-reflection. This incremental development aligns with the gradualist nature of evolutionary processes, rather than requiring the sudden appearance of a fully-formed "seat" of consciousness.

## Altered States and Emergent Properties: Windows into the Nature of Consciousness

Psychedelic research provides a unique window into the nature of consciousness. Substances like psilocybin and LSD increase communication between brain networks that normally operate independently, leading to profoundly altered states of consciousness. These experiences hint at the potential for novel, emergent properties to arise from unconventional network interactions. Similarly, the vivid, often surreal nature of dream states may be an exaggerated manifestation of these network dynamics.

These altered states of consciousness also challenge the notion of a fixed, immutable self. The profound changes in self-perception and the dissolution of ego boundaries often reported in psychedelic experiences suggest that our sense of self is a malleable construct, dependent on the specific configuration of neural network interactions.

## Implications and Future Directions: Reassessing the Self and Subjective Experience

If consciousness is indeed an emergent illusion, it calls for a radical reassessment of our understanding of the self and subjective experience. This theory opens up exciting possibilities for future research. Can we manipulate conscious experiences by modulating network interactions? What insights can computational models of neural networks offer about the origins of consciousness?

One promising avenue for future research is the development of more sophisticated computational models of neural networks. By simulating the complex interactions of multiple networks, we may be able to observe the emergence of properties analogous to consciousness. These models could also help us explore the spectrum of consciousness, investigating how changes in network complexity give rise to different levels of subjective experience.

Another area ripe for exploration is the manipulation of conscious states through targeted modulation of neural network interactions. Techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and optogenetics could allow researchers to selectively enhance or disrupt communication between specific networks, potentially inducing altered states of consciousness or even temporary changes in self-perception.

## Conclusion: Embracing a New Paradigm

The theory of consciousness as an emergent illusion arising from neural network interactions offers a provocative new perspective on one of the most enduring mysteries of the human mind. By embracing this paradigm, we open the door to a deeper understanding of the nature of consciousness and its place in the broader tapestry of life.

While challenges and questions remain, the explanatory power of this theory is considerable. It accounts for the gradual emergence of consciousness across evolutionary time, the existence of altered states, and the profound changes in self-perception that can occur under certain conditions.

As we continue to explore these ideas, let us approach them with open minds, rigor, and a willingness to challenge our most fundamental assumptions. The journey to understanding consciousness may be long and arduous, but by embracing new paradigms and pushing the boundaries of our knowledge, we inch ever closer to unraveling this profound mystery.