Freethought & Rationalism Archive

DBT · 06-08-2003, 04:38 AM

A Newscientist article a stated that the memory capacity of the brain is huge,but not infinate.
Perhaps enough for a long life and not much more.
So if any form of immortality were possible, memory would become a huge problem.
If you can live for an eternaty but only remember a 150 years at any time its not really immortality.
I suppose the problem would apply to any astral,spiritual blah ,blah , existance.

Elvithriel · 06-08-2003, 04:42 AM

By the time we figure out immortality we should have cybernetic brain implants available as well.

I don't really see a problem.

DBT · 06-08-2003, 05:08 AM

Implants,downloading etc only only extend capacity.
True immortality would require an infinate memory capacity?

Jinto · 06-08-2003, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DBT9522
Implants,downloading etc only only extend capacity.
True immortality would require an infinate memory capacity?

Which we would have an infinite amount of time to procure, so it all works out.

Jet Grind · 06-08-2003, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DBT9522
Implants,downloading etc only only extend capacity.
True immortality would require an infinate memory capacity?

Over and infinite amount of time you could remove and replace the cybernetic implants as needed. There's no real problem here.

tronvillain · 06-08-2003, 12:42 PM

Even during our finite lifespans we remember only a tiny fraction of our experiences, and even most of that fades and merges and is overwritten as time passes. Immortality would not require infinite memory capacity because no matter how long you lived the memory requirements woudl be finite, and it would probably be better to slowly overwrite almost everything anyway, only retaining the occasional important memory and the basic underlying structures.

DBT · 06-08-2003, 06:46 PM

yes,they are good answers on the tech side of it, it's a bit trivial but I was also thinking of all the believers in the eternal afterlife,
when they are resurected into their super new bodies will they remember singing praise to God for eternity?
or would a short term memory be merciful.

mouse. · 06-09-2003, 05:26 AM

If the brains capacity is unmeasurable as yet, how can they then claim that the brain has not got infinite capacity?

mouse. · 06-09-2003, 05:34 AM

If you could have immortality wouldn't your memory surely adapt?

Consider this, just how many memories can you remember without cues now? Then how many with cues can you recall? At what ever age you are at your brain already holds a vast amount of memories and other things unknown already immortality I wouldn't think would make any difference.

Who wants to live forever anyway? Some married couples already might say live forever with his/her bad habits no way

Mouse.

06-08-2003, 04:38 AM	#1
DBT Contributor Join Date: May 2003 Location: ɹǝpunuʍop puɐן ǝɥʇ Posts: 17,906	Immortality A Newscientist article a stated that the memory capacity of the brain is huge,but not infinate. Perhaps enough for a long life and not much more. So if any form of immortality were possible, memory would become a huge problem. If you can live for an eternaty but only remember a 150 years at any time its not really immortality. I suppose the problem would apply to any astral,spiritual blah ,blah , existance.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-08-2003, 04:42 AM	#2
Elvithriel Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 127	By the time we figure out immortality we should have cybernetic brain implants available as well. I don't really see a problem.

06-08-2003, 05:08 AM	#3
DBT Contributor Join Date: May 2003 Location: ɹǝpunuʍop puɐן ǝɥʇ Posts: 17,906	Implants,downloading etc only only extend capacity. True immortality would require an infinate memory capacity?

06-08-2003, 12:42 PM	#6
tronvillain Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,658	Even during our finite lifespans we remember only a tiny fraction of our experiences, and even most of that fades and merges and is overwritten as time passes. Immortality would not require infinite memory capacity because no matter how long you lived the memory requirements woudl be finite, and it would probably be better to slowly overwrite almost everything anyway, only retaining the occasional important memory and the basic underlying structures.

06-08-2003, 06:46 PM	#7
DBT Contributor Join Date: May 2003 Location: ɹǝpunuʍop puɐן ǝɥʇ Posts: 17,906	yes,they are good answers on the tech side of it, it's a bit trivial but I was also thinking of all the believers in the eternal afterlife, when they are resurected into their super new bodies will they remember singing praise to God for eternity? or would a short term memory be merciful.

06-09-2003, 05:26 AM	#8
mouse. Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: USA Posts: 36	If the brains capacity is unmeasurable as yet, how can they then claim that the brain has not got infinite capacity?

06-09-2003, 05:34 AM	#9
mouse. Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: USA Posts: 36	If you could have immortality wouldn't your memory surely adapt? Consider this, just how many memories can you remember without cues now? Then how many with cues can you recall? At what ever age you are at your brain already holds a vast amount of memories and other things unknown already immortality I wouldn't think would make any difference. Who wants to live forever anyway? Some married couples already might say live forever with his/her bad habits no way Mouse.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.