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's ability to operate near the "edge of chaos" is a key component of consciousness. The researchers used mathematical models, including aspects of quantum physics, and fMRI brain scans to support their findings, suggesting a link between this "criticality" and the ability to make rapid, accurate decisions.

Key Takeaways

• The human brain processes information incredibly fast, despite slow neuron transmission speeds.
• The brain operates near a "critical" state—the "edge of chaos"—balancing order and chaos, enabling emergent features and complexity. This state allows for long-range correlations between different brain regions.
• Researchers used quantum mechanics mathematics to model brain activity and distinguish between awake and sleeping states based on this "criticality" measure using fMRI data from over 1000 people.
• The findings suggest that achieving artificial consciousness may require creating a system capable of transitioning into chaos.