Brain Study #8 - Obtaining Information About the Environment (t or d?)

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Obtaining Information About the Environment

Fig. 4

 

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As the sensors became more complex (capable) the signals they

generated also became much more complex, becoming increasingly more

difficult to feed into a decision matrix directly. Evolution is a

reactive process, it does not plan ahead nor does it build in excess

of requirements. Rather than build a huge decision mechanism in order

to handle unnecessary detail and allow for future needs, it, in its

trial and error method of development, was forced to adjust the

amount of the detail (data compression) before entering the decision

mechanism. It became necessary to preprocess this sensor data into a

more compact symbolic form. Consider the human eye for example.

Although it, along with its preprocessor, is an integrating device

(summation, data compression), it produces similarly to a sampling

device (such as a TV camera) operating at about twenty frames per

second. With about 110 million sensor elements per eye and a color

definition equivalent to at least 8 bits per primary color, a data

flow into the decision matrix equivalent to 2,000 megabytes per

second would be an overwhelming load to provide for using slow

biological circuitry (would require a 200 mhz. Pentium for eye

processing alone). Add millions of other inputs from taste, hearing

and touch and the decision matrix would become monstrously large and

also monstrously slow. Only a small percentage of that information

from the eye is needed for proper decision making, and the smaller

the decision matrix the faster its throughput. Data compression is a

part of the data preprocessing from each of the sensor sets. The

resultant compressed symbol representing current sensor status is

particularly customized, through fixed processing, for the needs of

the host. For example, the scene processed through a cat's eye,

though the eye is similar to the human in capability and

construction, would be preprocessed into an entirely different

judgment symbol with different accents tailored to the needs of the

cat. Of necessity, this compression (scene analysis) must also make

allowances for urgency at the time, more detail being needed in times

of danger, for example.

 

Sensor preprocessing is performed in certain specified areas of the

gray matter of the brain. These areas are trainable memory,

genetically set aside for the specific purpose. They are genetically

organized and assigned circuitry, not useful for anything else and

not replaceable through retraining elsewhere if damaged. The

preprocessing (data compression, symbol generation, data integration,

data analysis, sensor judgment) for the human eye takes place in the

occipital lobe of each hemisphere (see figure 1). The occipital lobes

are well developed in all mammals. Although primary areas for various

preprocessors are relatively fixed in location in the brain between

individuals, there is variation both in location and size. Also, the

total area used for preprocessing for certain senses are not

localized. In scanning the human brain for metabolic activity while

performing various functions, it appears that some preprocessing is

scattered, indicating that the evolutionary development process for

the function was not uniform but occurred in sporadic time episodes.

The mutation which produced the improvement in a given preprocessing

function did not happen at an aesthetically pleasing location, but

once established was the likely loci for future beneficial mutations.

 

The sensor and its preprocessor are integrated, providing a given

function. The capability of the integrated function effects behavior.

The limitations of that capability are input terms for consideration

in the decision matrix. The sensors may in turn be controlled as a

part of the output of the decision matrix. Turning the eyes toward a

danger and concentrating mental attention there would be an example.

 

The preliminary training for these preprocessor areas takes place

during the early development of the individual. For example, the

focusing and movement of the eyes along with sight correlation

usually takes at least a year. The coordination of the eye with body

movement takes much longer. Although this is training, it is

mechanical training and has little to do with intellect. Further

physical training and adjustment occurs throughout life.