Researchers find major clue to consciousness

About this Video

• Video Title: Researchers find major clue to consciousness
• Channel: Sabine Hossenfelder
• Speakers: Sabine Hossenfelder
• Duration: 00:07:02

Introduction

This video discusses a research study suggesting that the human brain operates at the "edge of chaos," a critical state between order and chaos, as a key ingredient to consciousness. The researchers used quantum physics mathematics to model brain activity and differentiate between awake and sleeping states based on this "criticality."

Key Takeaways

• Brain's speed and efficiency: The human brain makes rapid decisions despite slow neuronal signals, achieved through a critical state between order and chaos.
• "Edge of chaos": The brain operates in a "critical" range, allowing for emergent features and complexity due to long-range correlations between different brain regions. This is analogous to systems like immigration policies, where a balance between order and chaos yields complexity.
• Quantum mechanics in brain modeling: The study used quantum mechanics equations to model brain activity, successfully distinguishing between awake and sleeping states based on the "criticality" measure. However, this doesn't necessarily imply the brain is a quantum computer.
• Implications for AI: The findings suggest that achieving consciousness in AI might require creating a system capable of transitioning into chaos.
• Energy efficiency: The brain's efficiency in using minimal power (20 Watts) is linked to its operation in this critical state.