People vs. Computers, Research Paper Example

Introduction

It is noteworthy that brains were behind the invention of the computers, however, there has been confusion as to which is superior in the information processing between the brains and the computers. Therefore, this essay will strive outline, which is superior between the two by analyzing the information processing of each of them. In order to answer this well, these research will look at various aspects, which includes; things that people can do well than the computers, and the pedigree of consciousness between brains and the computers.

Describe the information processing tasks that computers can do better than people

 The brain is so far superior to best computers, though the brain has ability, it performs more than a computer it keeps and maintains the body functions of a person in their entire lifetime. It processes actions like blinking, breathing, breathing, coordination’s of body parts are controlled subconsciously from the brain all the time (online notes).

The brain loses the battle to the computer in tackling simple and straightforward jobs that entail recording and computational functionalities. The brain is made for general purposes not calculations. Theoretically, the processing speed of brain for calculations can be equated to the computer. However, it is continually being distracted by the senses, thoughts and emotions. Geniuses read a 500-page book in less than hour and remember every tiny bit as well as those who perform calculations within fractions of second but these geniuses are rare breed (CvB.Net).

Tasks that people can do better than computers

The brain is bombarded by all your senses at same time for instance, the retina sends about eleven -million point images to the brain at time for processing to recognise colour shape and every aspect of the image. At the same time, the ears pass sound to your brain at real time faster than a computer CD. Concurrently the body deciphers smell, pain, touch and emotions. Thus, the brain is constantly receiving huge workload from the senses and being required to process them instantly. If a computer subjected to such overload would definitely crush/ hang because it cannot respond in such speed as the brain does yet the brain has never fails (Goldstein, 2008).

• Create a comparison chart for the way people and computers “think.”

 Comparative Chart of Thinking Between Computers and Brain

• Describe whether these differences are quantitative or qualitative.

Computational, evaluative and logic thinking styles are quantitative since they involve processing of raw data, subsequently releasing information and solving mathematical sums. Computational thinking occurs when a person uses human intelligence and computer intelligence to accomplish tasks and solve problems. It is about automation of algorithm, tangible device software or the human brain (Brookes, 2013). Evaluative thinking is used in approving and disapproving positions of a subject. Computers are simulated to assess citations before reacting using control structures to decide course of action. If condition is met computer reacts in certain way and reverse is true. Logical thinking concurrently involves deciding between yes or no, true or false Boolean ‘1’ and ‘0’.

However, creative divergent convergent and inductive thinking techniques are qualitative since they involve emotions, and output result is often different (Waldrop, 2001). While Critical thinking is qualitative as is assess the validity of the existence of a body, Creative thinking generates a new form of ideas and results. However, Computers cannot perform creative thinking without human input. Convergent thinking processes information’s at a central point to draw a common conclusion while Divergent thinking begins at central point and moves outwards.

• Explain how these differences can be accounted for by the concept of the mind. For example, explain whether the mind or consciousness is distinct from the brain, an extension of it, or a myth.

Brains have the ability to cause mind as defined by neuroscience. The two are in direct correspondence with each other as mind is in same capacity as the brain. Though the language is used to define, the mind is supplanted by brain events, Neutral activity has correlation with the consciousness, and thus every mind state is a brain state. The neural relates the consciousness and the characteristic activity pattern generate the mind (Goldstein, 2008). However, the brain and mind are extremely incompatible; they are different physical and mental entities. The complexity of the mind persuades us to believe that the mind is metaphysical yet it is not true.

• As computers improve, can a mind or consciousness emerge? Explain.

The field of research is continuously changing and now it experts are using complex sophisticated algorithmic analysis and simulation to model human intelligence. With continuous research, the mind consciousness breakthrough will be realised. Through these simulations, the humans will be able to decipher most of the human brain and integrate it with computer RAM.

The mind contains one thousand millions of neurons with each neuron having 1000 connections (synapse) with other neurons thus a thousand connections. In computer world, one synapse will contain 4 bytes thus 4million GB is required to simulate one thousand million synapses. The whole brain would require 8 million of GBs for simulations. This will be inclusive of the auxiliary variables for storing neuron outputs and other brain status (CvB.Net).

Looking at the graph of how RAMS have developed for the last 20 years it shows that by around the year 2029, computer RAMS will have an 8 million GB capacity equal to human brain. This assumption is only feasible if only complexity is considered. Just like the mind, which is a complex electrochemical processor one day the computer will achieve that.

• Provide your opinion on whether or not the concept of computer consciousness will become possible in the foreseeable future? Explain.

The machine intelligence can be measured by its awareness consciousness, spirit, and soul. It is not possible to foresee a consciousness computer because such a computer is a complex or mysterious thing. If people cannot understand the brain, how then can they reproduce it? Will they produce as a software or silicone chip? The computer is not aware of its surrounding or existence like humans do (Waldrop, 2001). Thus, a computer does not possess self-awareness. What can make the computer be self-aware, is its complexity, and that when complexity of the computers attains some specific level, they will become self-aware. Thus to be able to understand if the computer will be self-aware then we have to compare how the brain works to the way the computer works. There is more to this complexity than creating self-aware computers.

Conclusion

From the findings of the research above, it is evident that the computers are no better than the brains at all. The fact that the brains does a lot in keeping the body fit as opposed to the computers, which are instructed is a clear testimony that brains are far much better than the computers. Secondly, it emerges from the research that the consciousness of the computers cannot be measured, hence, unlike the brains; the computers cannot detect its surroundings. It is clear from the research that the mind contains one thousand millions of neurons with each neuron having 1000 connections (synapse) with other neurons thus a thousand connections. Because one synapse will contain 4 bytes, it therefore means that 4million GB is required to simulate one thousand million synapses whereas the whole brain would require 8 million of GBs for simulations, which is a testimony that the brains are superior than the computers.

References

Brookes, C. (2013, March_April). How Are The Mind And Brain Related? Retrieved 22 May, 2013, from Philosophy Now: http://philosophynow.org/issues/65/How_Are_The_Mind_And_Brain_Related

CvB.Net. (n.d.). Man Vs Computer. Retrieved May 22, 2013, from library.thinkquest.org: http://library.thinkquest.org/C001501/the_saga/compare3.htm

Goldstein, E. B. (2008). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research, and everyday experience. Australia: Thomson Wadsworth.

Waldrop, M. (2001, Feb 21). The Age of Intelligent Machines | Can Computers Think? Retrieved May 21, 2013, from Kurzweil Accelerating Intelligence: http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-age-of-intelligent-machines-can-computers-think