Scientists in Switzerland have said they expect to have built a fully-functioning replica of a human brain by 2020.

This may be an optimistic timeframe but one thing is certain – it will happen.

In fact, there are several teams in the world aiming to model the brain with super-fast computers.The computer they are using is capable of copying the actions of the 100 billion neurons in the human brain.

Many scientists believe that once the brain is built, consciousness will follow. Emotions will be a natural by-product of the millions of chemical impulses flitting between the artificial ‘synapses’ of the modelled brain.

This is the exact situation that Ray Kurzweil talks about in his book The Singularity is Near. In the book he predicts the continuing accelerating progress of both technology and science will mean a copy of the human brain is just a matter of time. And a short period of time at that.

This will raise moral issues: it the brain alive? Does it have rights? An our experiments torture? How do we define life?

There will be tough questions which the human race will deal with as it always has with changing circumstances. As best it can. And we have got through so far.

Question: Does having a computer equivalent to a human barin worry you? Or do you think we will cope OK one way or another? Post a comment.

A Computerized Brain Will Happen is a post from: Living To 150

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Is it me – or do most people have a really short term view?

When I am 80, I want to have good balance and stamina; a good brain; and a strong heart. Also, I want to have no cancer.

To achieve that (hopefully) requires some sacrifices and effort now.

Most people I talk to – and I am talkative – aren’t really that interested. It’s almost too much trouble. Is this weird?

(Or could it be me who’s weird?)

Willpower is Key is a post from: Living To 150

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