Reflections on the Unfulfilled Aspirations of the Human Brain Project

In 1993, Vernor Vinge introduced the concept of the ‘Singularity’ in his influential article, which was later expanded upon by Ray Kurzweil in his 2005 book, The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology. Kurzweil posited that the rapid advancement of technology would lead to a point where machine intelligence surpasses human intelligence, resulting in a transformative event he termed the Singularity. In his view, this event would not only amplify machine capabilities but also extend the reach of intelligence throughout the cosmos.

This unsettling forecast emphasizes a future where technology outstrips humanity, effectively erasing the narrative of human existence as we know it. The term “paradise” has its roots in the Persian word pairedaeza, describing enclosed gardens that offered a respite from the passage of time and human necessity. Our expulsion from this original paradise symbolizes the dawn of human history and the onset of our struggles with the uncertainties of existence.

Kurzweil’s vision of the Singularity evokes apocalyptic themes, suggesting a dramatic disruption in human history. Yet, this upheaval doesn't eliminate the inherent uncertainties of our condition; rather, it proposes a technological transcendence that distances us from our historical roots.

One might question the underlying motivations for such a dystopian outlook. Does it stem from a profound dissatisfaction with our current existence, a reluctance to engage meaningfully with the world around us? Perhaps it reflects a retreat from the essence of our humanity.

Elon Musk’s ambitions to colonize Mars appear less as a transcendence from human challenges and more as an escape from them. Is this a tacit acknowledgment of our irreversible damage to Earth? Instead of taking responsibility for healing our planet, Musk’s vision seems to advocate for abandonment—a moral failing rather than an achievement.

In 2009, Henry Markram boldly claimed during a TED talk that the complexities of the human mind would soon be unraveled, asserting that mental illnesses and perceptions could be traced back to neuronal activity. He envisioned that within a decade, the entirety of the human brain could be replicated on supercomputers. This ambition became the foundation of the Human Brain Project, a revival of Kurzweil’s Singularity concept.

However, despite securing a billion euros in funding from the European Union, the project faced significant challenges just a year later when over 800 neuroscientists signed an open letter expressing their disagreement with the project’s fundamental approach to brain simulation.

Tech often derives its credibility from a quest for performative legitimacy. Achievements in technology are essential to bolster this credibility and mask unfulfilled promises, while any negative outcomes are easily brushed aside as the cost of progress. Markram’s TED talk presented a project proposal with a simplistic objective and timeline, but this objective was predicated on questionable assumptions. Every assumption carries inherent risks, and in this case, the project should have expanded its scope to justify the claim that the brain is fundamentally digital.

This situation stands in stark contrast to the validation process behind the Higgs boson. Higgs and his colleagues formulated a theory that produced testable predictions regarding the Higgs field, which were subsequently tested using the Large Hadron Collider—an experiment grounded in theoretical foundations.

Currently, there exists no established theory of the brain that provides testable predictions or suggests an experimental approach to validate the notion that the brain operates digitally. Consequently, the Human Brain Project faltered due to its lack of a theoretical basis.

This endeavor echoed Kurzweil's own claims about reaching the Singularity within a specified timeframe. James Hollis, a Jungian psychoanalyst, explored the challenges of contemporary existence in his book, Creating A Life, highlighting that our fixation on technological materialism serves as a distraction from our existential anxieties. These anxieties stem from our inability to engage thoughtfully and passionately with life.

Historically, myths and narratives played a vital role in shaping lived experiences, with transcendence being intimately linked to the natural world. As society has moved away from these classical foundations, the psychological need for compelling stories remains unmet, leaving a void. Perhaps the Singularity has become the new myth.

Both Carl Jung and Jean-Paul Sartre addressed existential angst, advocating for a meaningful existence through self-discovery, creative freedom, and overcoming self-deception—values rooted deeply in Western classical thought.

Technology is evolving into a modern form of alchemy, endowed with transformative potential. This potential allows for a departure from established processes and judgments, paving the way for ambitious visions like the Singularity and the Human Brain Project.

A significant aspect of the Singularity, along with the ambition of Mars colonization, is their promise of a shift from one state of consciousness to another. These bold visions serve to unify the tech industry, creating a symbolic pilgrimage toward a new understanding of existence.

Consider how enthusiastically the tech community embraced the concept of the ‘Metaverse’. The introduction of VR headsets marks a transition from ordinary reality to an alternate state of being within this new digital universe.

In this light, technology resembles a new form of religion. However, if religion is indeed an archetype, then we remain subject to its influence. Integral Theory suggests that significant advancements in civilization are linked to the evolution of human consciousness. Thus, the Singularity and Mars colonization do not signify an advancement in consciousness but rather represent a contemporary expression of age-old archetypes.

The tech industry is convinced of its own destiny, reminiscent of Virgil’s Aeneid, which chronicles Aeneas’s journey from Troy to the founding of Rome. Similarly, technology seems propelled by a Virgilian sense of purpose toward the Singularity, viewed as the zenith of its journey and its ultimate goal.

Should the Singularity be realized, it’s easy to envision technology adopting a narrative akin to a Virgilian foundation myth, claiming divine status and the sole authority to dictate the future.

In this new narrative, the Singularity would serve as the cornerstone of an entirely reimagined future—one where technology is Aeneas, and humanity’s aspirations become akin to Dido, cast aside along the way.

Virgil’s narrative centers on destiny, necessity, and inevitability, relegating human needs to a secondary status in pursuit of a singular, unchallenged narrative. Technology, too, possesses this sense of destiny, manufacturing necessity, and converting successes into inevitabilities.

Conversely, Ovid’s perspective diverges from the rigid masculinity of Virgil’s myth. Instead, Ovid might argue that the mind embodies a feminine nature—one filled with shadows, mysteries, and secrets that resist surrendering to technology's and the Human Brain Project's relentless quest.

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Exploring the Human Brain Project: An Overview

In this video titled "The Human Brain Project - Video Overview," viewers will gain insights into the project’s ambitions and the scientific challenges it seeks to address.

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Insights from the 2023 Human Brain Project Summit

This video, "Human Brain Project Summit 2023 - New windows into consciousness," provides a summary of the latest developments and discussions surrounding consciousness research within the project.