Have you ever wondered how our brains process information and give rise to conscious experience? Researchers have been trying to crack this code for decades, and a recent simulation has brought us one step closer. A tiny Global Workspace simulator has been developed, and the results are fascinating. The simulator uses long-range links to mimic the processing of information in the brain, and the results show a sharp consciousness threshold at around 5 links. But what does this mean, and how can it help us understand the nature of consciousness?
The Global Workspace Theory (GWT) proposes that consciousness arises from the global workspace of the brain, where information from various sensory and cognitive systems is integrated. The simulator uses a simple yet powerful approach to model this process, and the results are striking. The threshold at 5 long-range links suggests that there is a critical point at which information processing becomes integrated and conscious experience emerges.
This research has significant implications for our understanding of consciousness and its relationship to brain function. It also opens up new avenues for research into the neural correlates of consciousness and the development of artificial intelligence that can mimic human-like conscious experience.
If you’re interested in learning more, the code and plots are available online, and the discussion is ongoing in the comments.