From: Matt Mahoney (matmahoney@yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Mar 15 2008 - 11:54:11 MDT
--- Heartland <mindinstance@gmail.com> wrote:
> Back to the main question about importance of memories [to people]. See if
> this
> dilemma clarifies anything. If you had to choose between 2 options, which
> one would
> you prefer?
>
> Option 1) In 1 minute you will go into an eternal coma. On the bright side,
> you are
> guaranteed that your brain, and thus your memories, will remain exactly the
> way
> they are now until the end of Universe.
> Option 2) In 1 minute all your personal memories will be completely erased
> from
> your brain, but, other than that, this brain will function just like any
> other
> healthy brain that's able to form and retain new personal memories and
> remember all
> the general knowledge acquired throughout the brain's life, like being able
> to
> speak, read and write English, do math, etc. However, this brain will not
> remember
> its name, its opinions, its family and friends, its tastes, where it's
> located,
> none of that personal stuff.
>
> Slawek
>
>
Humans did not evolve in an environment where they had to make such choices,
so lets say they choose randomly. Those that choose 2 will have children that
inherit the personality characteristics that made them more likely to make
that choice. Therefore future generations will usually choose 2. Of course
they will not know why they prefer this choice because their parents would
have no memory of ever making it.
-- Matt Mahoney, matmahoney@yahoo.com
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