The Fundamental Illusion - Being Here and Now

CHATBOT

In the following, AI is a GPT-4-based chatbot. I use the chatbot to summarize the current state of knowledge and save myself from re-hashing established ideas. The point of the following is that it's all in your head. There is a fundamental difference between what we know and experience of the world and what is "really" happening in the world. The Tao that can be spoken is not the real Tao.

NOW

AI: The brain produces the illusion of "now" through a complex interaction of various brain regions and neural processes. 

One prominent theory is that the brain constructs the perception of "now" by integrating information from different sensory modalities. The brain receives sensory inputs from various sources, such as vision, hearing, touch, and more. These inputs are transmitted to different brain areas responsible for processing each specific modality.

Simultaneously, the brain engages in a process called "temporal binding" or "sensory integration" where it combines the incoming sensory information into a unified representation of the present moment. This process involves comparing the timing and features of different sensory signals to determine their synchrony and creating a coherent perception of the present.

Additionally, the brain also employs memory processes to create the illusion of the "now." Short-term memory, or working memory, holds and processes recent representations and updates them continuously to maintain a sense of the present moment.

Furthermore, the brain has various mechanisms that synchronize neural activity across different regions. These mechanisms help coordinate the integration of sensory inputs and facilitate the perception of a unified "now."

It is important to mention that the brain perceives time differently depending on the situation. For instance, during periods of intense focus or engagement, time may seem to pass quickly, while during periods of boredom, time may seem to drag on. This perception of time can be influenced by factors like attention, emotions, and the context in which an individual is experiencing the world.

Overall, the brain's ability to generate the illusion of "now" relies on the integration of sensory information, temporal binding, memory processes, and the synchronization of neural activity. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are still an active area of research in neuroscience.

HERE 

AI: The brain produces the illusion of being in space through a combination of different sensory inputs and cognitive processes. Here are some key factors explaining this:

1. Visual Perception: The brain relies heavily on visual cues to perceive and interpret our surroundings. The visual information received through our eyes, such as depth, motion, and spatial relationships, helps our brain construct and maintain a sense of space.

2. Vestibular System: The inner ear contains fluid-filled canals that provide our brain with information about the body's position and movement in relation to gravity. This information from the vestibular system helps us maintain balance and a sense of orientation in space.

3. Proprioception: Our brain receives information from specialized sensors in our muscles, tendons, and joints, known as proprioceptors. This input is crucial for the brain to understand the position and movement of our body parts, further contributing to our sense of space.

4. Multisensory Integration: The brain integrates information from different sensory modalities, such as vision, touch, hearing, and proprioception, to create a unified perception of space. When these sensory inputs align and complement each other, the brain can construct a coherent and immersive sense of being in space.

5. Cognitive Processing: Cognitive processes like attention, memory, and spatial reasoning also play a role in creating the illusion of being in space. Our brain combines sensory inputs with previous experiences and knowledge to generate a mental representation of our environment, allowing us to navigate and interact within it.

It's important to note that the brain's perception of space can be influenced or altered, leading to illusions or virtual reality experiences. By manipulating sensory inputs or using technology to present artificial stimuli, researchers can create virtual environments that can trick the brain into perceiving a different space than the physical reality.

SELF

AI: The brain produces the illusion of self through a complex interaction of various cognitive processes and neural mechanisms. Here are some key factors:

1. Self-awareness: The brain has the ability to be aware of itself and its bodily sensations, thoughts, and perceptions. This self-awareness allows the brain to recognize itself as a distinct entity.

2. Multimodal integration: The brain integrates sensory information from various sources, including vision, touch, hearing, and proprioception (sense of body position), to form a coherent representation of the world and the body's position within it. This integration helps create a unified sense of self.

3. Sense of agency: The brain generates a sense of agency, which is the feeling of being in control of one's actions and having the ability to initiate and control behaviors. This feeling of agency contributes to the sense of self.

4. Memory and continuity: The brain relies on memory to create a continuous sense of self over time. Memories of past experiences, personal traits, and learned behaviors are integrated into a narrative that contributes to the sense of self.

5. Theory of mind: The brain has the ability to understand and attribute mental states, beliefs, and desires to oneself and others. This capacity, known as theory of mind, helps in recognizing oneself as distinct from others.

6. Default mode network (DMN): The DMN is a network of brain regions that are active during rest and self-referential thought. It is believed to play a crucial role in generating and maintaining the sense of self.

It's important to note that while the brain creates the illusion of a unified self, some philosophical and scientific debates question the true nature of the self and whether it is an illusion or a fundamental aspect of human consciousness. 

THE FEELING OF BEING

What the above misses is that it feels like something to be a self in a time and place. This is the feeling of consciousness. It is difficult or impossible for us to imagine an event in the Universe without an observer, although many events obviously do occur unobserved. However, all our Scientific theories assume an observer. Scientific theory is "in the head" of an observer. We don't have direct knowledge of the world.