[ExI] Fermi Paradox and Transcension

[spike]

Behalf Of Mike Dougherty
Subject: Re: [ExI] Fermi Paradox and Transcension

On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 11:56 AM, spike <spike66 at att.net> wrote:
...
>
>>... There is no theoretical limit to the process: adding more transmitters

> each sending the signal a shorter distance decreases the total energy 
> needed to send a signal, at the expense of signal delay.

>...What kind of delay do you expect to exist at each node?

Mike, this is where I need help from the electronics hipsters and
datameisters among us.  I can do the orbit mechanics and gravity calcs, make
a reasonable estimate on the thermodynamics, but I am out beyond the ragged
edge of my own expertise when it comes to estimating signal latency.  Do
feel free to offer suggestions.

Here's the theory: our brains are these substrates from which minds
mysteriously emerge.  We don't know how that happens, or at least I sure
don't.  The brain consists of about 100 billion, American billion, 10^11
neurons and each neuron has between about 5k and 10k connections with other
neurons.  So the idea is have a smallish microprocessor which keeps track of
the state of that neuron and the 7000 or so inputs, and the branching
output.

It might be that if we had such a system, that somehow a mind could emerge
from it, but as Keith points out, it might be very slow.  Today's lunch
discussion was about the scenario where we awaken one day into a dreamlike
state, and find a few familiar faces.  We begin to talk to the others and
realize it is the cryonics crowd.  We gradually come to realize that we have
perished, been uploaded into an MBrain, and WOOHOO!  We live for all
eternity! 

But then we notice the sun is pulsating, and realize that the pulsation is
the familiar 11 solar cycle, and that each cycle takes about what feels like
about 2 seconds.  Being good at BOTECs but lacking an envelope, we mentally
calculate and realize we are slowed by a factor of about 100 million.  So we
have managed to beat the odds, live to age 80, then make it to eternity!
Only then do we realize that we have only about 60 to 80 subjective years
before the sun goes supernova, 6  to 8 billion calendar years in the future.

Anyone who wants to take that theme and write a SF story, go ahead.

spike