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Gems

Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 10:25 AM by ravage

Been a while. Not much has changed since, and Im not as productive as I'd thought Id be if only I gave up on GS. I guess if you wanna waste time you find other ways.

I introduced my classmate Einstein in a previous post , who frequently sends inane stuff to our alumni mailing list.

Some of the latest ones involved asking if anyone had 'really nice' contacts in british embassy, if people had the lunar and solar eclipse calendars for 2009 (why?), volunteering information about pimps in the Islamabad area in case anyone is interested (again, why?), how can i copy my sim?

I feel a bit bad because everyone starts beating on him the moment he asks one of these inane questions. They never go anywhere except a bunch of guys making wisecracks but he still persists as if we are nice decent people who will make the best effort to fix his phone after hes dunked it in water. But really the die was cast with his first two questions... is there anyone in uganda ??? and can anyone tell me the name of that cock song?

Yes I sent in my wisecrack in case you're wondering. A bit less abrasive than Im used to, because i feel guilty.

So most of you would know that our brains our comprised of millions of neurons. A neuron is kindof a little black box, with chemical/electrical inputs and outputs. You can now measure what the inputs and outputs are. Imagine (and its not a stretch) it was possible to replace one neuron with a silicon chip, just take the neuron out and put in a chip. They already do similar stuff for vision impairment for example. Would you still be you? One would think so right. But say we replace another, and another, till 20% of your brain is microchips, each programmed to just do the exact input-output the neuron used to do. Is that still a person? Imagine 60% then, imagine all the neurons are replaced with a mechanical brain. Is that still a person, or a robot in a human body?

Over the weekend my friend and I disagreed on this, I thought no this isnt a person, he said it is, and that your identity is actually in your genes. I dont see that, how can your genes be your identity thats nonsensical. But see in this scenario, you're not noticing anything. Its just one neuron at a time, and after each procedure, you have exactly the same mental output (by definition).

Strange.

and

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	From a sociological perspective, it would even be debateable, what an identity is. I would argue, like you did, that your genes is NOT your identity except in the physical sense. There are other things that make us who we are, other than our genes and stuff. Btw, hows it going? It seems like forever ago when we talked (or used to talk!).
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 10:39 AM by Ira

hello ira

i dunno, my bias is towards the brain as far as identity goes. if someone were to ask me where *I* am, I'd point to my head. but then my friend says people used to say the same about hearts before.. and now we have mechanical hearts. but then if my head can be replaced by mechanical parts, and by extension so can I, then thats very disturbing for me.

yes I went MIA from most online mediums. I dont really know why, same thing happened with friends who were on msn a program i find particularly annoying.

im okay, not much has changed for me. I follow your blog from time to time, and know a lot has for you, mashallah, in a very good way

Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 10:44 AM by ravage ravage is offline

	I will read it after. I very much like yoru blog..write it more often..plz
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 10:44 AM by Monk

	thanks PM! I didnt see your comment on cycling and ubuntu for a long time till it was too late to respond. for the record, i no longer cycle (three bikes stolen before my spirit was broken) though ubuntu is going strong, am a permanent convert i think
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 10:46 AM by ravage

	U know .. you got to get that stiff metal lock... plus bike with the remove able front wheel. that why you can take wheel in the office and lock rear wheel and bike with the lock..
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 10:57 AM by Monk

	doesnt work in my area. they stole the chain off my back wheel and bent the frame.
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 11:10 AM by ravage

	ha ha so they are poor and angry?? bad combination.
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 11:16 AM by Monk

	It has been a while. Good to know, life is treating you well.
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 11:28 AM by ahmadjee

	Can you do a cliff notes version of this entry, im straightening my hair while I read blogs and your entry is way to long. Thank you.
	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 12:10 PM by belle

	thanks AJ belli my classmate einstein sent another group mail, I reflected on how brains could be replaced with computer chips and posted two awesome songs.
	Posted Oct 1st, 2009 at 02:28 PM by ravage