> Also, the structure is probably not the most difficult thing to model.
> As I said previously, neurons are not simple logic gates but highly
> complex cells about which we still don't know an enormous amount.
> Your 'simple' program would not work as a neuron does.
Also, there are many different TYPES of neurons (e.g. in terms of structure,
receptors, neurotranmitters), NONE of which we are likely to be able to
characterise suitably to model as a computer program, let alone alone of
them (which is what would be required to justify having connected up a whole
network of computers analagous to the network of neurons in the brain).
Thus, varoious computers in the network would have to run a seperate
programme. e.g the "substantia nigra" sub-network containing a high
proportion of computers running "dopaminergic" neuron programmes.
In theory though, as more and more is learnt about individual neurones and
synaptic pathways, it is quite conceivable to model (to a suitable degree of
approxiamtion) a real system e.g. somatosensory. But, this in itself is
probable not much use without all the systems peiced together (at the
neuronal level); isnt this challenge greater, or at least a THE fundemental
pre-requisit to the whole mass-internet-modelling business? Also, not only
would we need to know the exact mapping of the neurones, but of which form
each neurone was, so that the network was mapped appropriately, with each
connection communicating using the appropirate programme.
Theres is also the whole point that the brain is a developing, dynamic,
plastic system and was never just "there" : adult brains developed gradually
from child brains which develped from the embryoninc brains, with external
stimuli shaping the brain all the time: from which point would the computer
network "start" its being?
In summary, "easy as 1-2-3" it is, if you already know everything about the
static brain in the first place: the network would just enable us to observe
the dynamics of the whole being. But first we must know everything about
the static brain....then let the fun begin.
> If it were all so simple don't think it would have already been done?
Careful....just dont be blinded by narrow mindendness mate - the beauty of
many things lies in their simplicity!
