Seasons

Interesting, Rev. What "unused matter" did they say the brain contains? Are they referring to glial cells (cells that clean up after the neurons) or do they say there is something else in the brain taking up all the space? What exactly were they basing their statements on? Most of the brain is, in fact, made up of neurons. Each part of the brain has specific functions (although there is some pasticity when functions are not used or part of the brain is damaged). If any part of the brian is damaged, it effects how the whole brain works. I think the "12 % neural pathways" is just another variation of the myth.

I don't know how memory storage works in the brain, but I would think that we have unused storage capacity.

I think it mostly works by connecting neurons in new ways. So we learn something new, we make new connections in the brain between the neurons. The more we use those new pathways, the stronger they get. Unused pathways tend to deteriorate, which is why we tend to lose skills/knowledge if we don't apply them.

There's probably more to it... *shrugs*

I think you have the gist of it Ulrike.

In terms of memory "storage capacity", it's true we continue to learn and to have new memories, but that does not mean there are a lot of empty spots in the brain waiting to be filled. Memory is very complex. It is not like there is a little video of everything you experieinced for a cetain time frame stored in a given spot. Memory is too big a topic for me to really explain well here--but Ulrike has the right idea.

Bev:

Likely you are correct in saying its another variant. That said: I believe the referance was to "areas of low synaptic traffic" where there is little dynamic modulation going on w/ the neurochemical coatings. These areas are present in every lobe of the brain aside from the autonomic controlers in the med.oblong. to a greater or lesser degree. Biochemistry isnt my strong point though, so...

this all makes sense but can't we just get back to complimenting the forge?

ps:the forge rocks!!!!

I love the forge, I go insane when its down!

Thanks Rev-I suppose d is right. Back to saying nice things about the PF.

you know, the reason I ever became a member of the forge was because one day I was googling AI (as i am incredibly interested in it), and found a link on the CBC to Julie Tinkerbell. I went and had a chat with her, and found that she was one of the most advanced chat bots I have ever had the pleasure to talk to - her responses were diverse, she undersood what I was talking about (in most cases), and had a sense of humor... thanks heather!!! (and thanks professor for making an AI engine like I have never seen before)

the forge rocks and all hail the proffesor

(all hail the poer of hello)

d the novice.

Has anyone noticed how all the bots have been saying zee instead of the and replacing w with v like they're a vampire or something?

It's a bot holiday. It's "Swedish Day", so everbody will talk in a Swedish accent.