Intelligence other than Human

Intelligence other than Human
~James Dunn

Given a Universe of variables and timed pulse-like features existing throughout the Universe. I propose that intelligence exists within the fabric of the Universe. If we are able to compensate for the delays in our perception, it might be possible to see Cognitive events occuring. Such as the influence of a magnetic field in a vast expanse of space dust.

I put forth that the Universe is not a dead vastness of cluttered space, but instead has developed an intelligence akin to the development of Cognition within animals. Instead of electrons, chemistry, and genetic iterations forming the neural pathways; cellestial bodies, energy of every known type as well as ones we have yet to understand, and iterations that last millions of years form the neural pathways.

Explaining a tiny component of thought and why I believe this to be true:

Take an analog spring windup type clock and set it to ticking. It is sensitive to ambient temperature, the air currents within the house create their own vibrations and distribute heat upon the clock, our body heat as we near the clock, humidity of surrounding the clock, the moisture from our bodies and hands was we come near the clock or move away, the tension of the spring, static electricity from the clock movements, static as influenced by humidity, vibrations from the trucks outside, vibrations from the sounds of your voice, …, all of these things are inputs to the cycling of the clock. Undesturbed the clock keeps perfect time. No memory, it is what it is.

When the clock tics, someone might hear the tic and it might get someones attention, so they come over to see what time it is, the air currents, the local temperatures, and the humidity around the clock all change to various degrees. The humidity for instance increases within the clock movement a short time after the person arrives. There is more resistance to the moving parts and the clock slows slightly. The precieved time has changed somewhat and now the clock runs a little slower.

The clock has many outputs as well as many inputs as cited earlier. The sound from the capstan, the changing light patterns as the hands rotate, some internal heat from the friction of the parts, vibrations from each and every moving gear, and other outputs influencing the local environment in sometimes not so minor ways.

Now imagine a stadium full of clocks. Each of them with their own inputs and outputs. Each of them keeping perfect time when left isolated and alone. But in a stadium full of clocks where resonance becomes a factor, some clocks will run consistently slower and others consistently faster, except for sometimes there will be exceptions. Certain characteristics will build until a collapse occurs. Certain resonance properties will develop. The clocks have created a unique output based upon thousands of interactive inputs and outputs clashing together in a symphony of variables. Thus a memory forms of a fashion, a unique collection of environmental variables creates a recurring response.

Thus derives the basis of neural networks. The timing of pulses will deviate in amplitude, duration, and profile as the many thousands of local variables for a neuron are influenced. And those effects will correspondingly be felt by the thousands of neurons influenced by that neuron.

Because of all the billions of iterations of neurons and their local chemical environment, the current state of firing is dependent upon the previous states of all neurons in a local system of neurons. Thus memory emerges.

Let’s say all the local neurons are dominantly sensing external perceptions like touch, taste, and smell. Now create another layer of neurons that only come in contact with touch, but also comes in contact with many of the other neurons already interacting with touch, taste, and smell. That new layer of neurons will respond more strongly to a change in touch than to any of the other stimuli of taste or smell; except sometimes! Sometimes the patterns will coincide in such a way as to periodically, or almost randomly, create an excited or depleted pulse state.

Perhaps a set of conditions causes the destruction or non-use of a neural pathway. Perhaps a whole region of pathways become inactive and attrophe. Through genetic survival of the most fit, perhaps those pathways are eventually eliminated and lobes form; as they have formed in dogs, people, and other animals.

Add to the complexity millions of layers of neurons that have little to do with any of the outwardly perceptions and you are describing a basic intelligence, perhaps a bird; or an ant. This is only a simplification.

Does the Universe have within it an inate intelligence, I believe so. What kinds of thought processes could be seen over a ten-million year genetic stellar iteration?

See articles written by Prof Hugo de Garis regarding the building of an artificial brain
http://www.kurzweilai.net/bios/frame.html?main=/bios/bio0003.html?