[ExI] Uploads are self

[Jason Resch]

On Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 9:27 AM Ben Zaiboc via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> On 24/03/2026 12:08, Jason Resch  wrote:
> > On Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 9:47 AM Ben Zaiboc via extropy-chat <
> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
> >
> >     On 23/03/2026 11:12, Jason Resch wrote:
> >
> >     > there's no limit to the range of experiences that you can have.
> >
> >
> >     Actually, there's a proof that this is false that I just thought of.
> >
> >     If someone is colour-blind such that they can't distinguish red from
> green, they literally can't experience a red object on a green background.
> >
> >
> > In 2009, scientists performed surgery on color blind monkeys. They
> injected their retinas with a retrovirus to make their cells produce new
> color sensing cone cells. In a few weeks their brains rewired themselves
> based on this new sensory input, and became capable of making color
> discriminations they previously were unable to make.
> >
> > Would you say the monkeys survived this procedure? I would say so.
> >
> > This demonstrates that new qualia can be produced from the brain
> rewiring itself gradually over time. So I see no reason why a formerly
> color blind person could not likewise survive a process that extended their
> brain or sensory capacity to give them the ability to experience a red
> object on a green background.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >     This generalises into a multitude of equivalent cases, and many
> more. If someone doesn't have the right wiring in their amygdala, they
> can't experience fear, etc., etc.
> >
> >     In general, the range of experiences you are capable of is limited
> by the structure of your mind and associated sensory apparatus.
> >
> >
> > I agree with this. But if you allow derivations of a mind to count as
> survival, I see no fundamental limit to how far this can be taken.
>
>
> Agreed.
>
> When I'm saying that there is a limit to the range of experiences you can
> have, I'm talking about the current, unmodified 'you'.


>
> Naturally, if we allow for future changes, that's a different matter.
> There may be limits on what kinds of experiences a mind can have, based on
> what kind of mind it is. but that would be a subject for future
> exploration. The fact that, once uploaded, a host of modifications become
> practically possible, gives me great hope for our future.
>
> As a friend of mine once said, "Let a thousand flowers bloom". This is the
> great promise of transhumanism, and especially of uploading.


It is a bright future indeed.

Jason
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