Marduk

I’m not convinced this will work in the way people hope. I guess it all depends on the uploading process. How is this to be done? Will it move you from your body to the machine or simply copy you into the machine? If the former than yes you may get to live forever, if the latter than you will just die with your body the old fashioned way and a copy of you will see the future. But this will essentially just be another being that happens to have your memories, not you.
Picture yourself going through the transfer procedure, will you awaken in a new computer body or your old body which will die? I guess it all depends on how this is done, will your old body then be like an empty suit with you now in the computer or is it just making copies, which will do you no good at all?

SteveD

I don't think it can work as software only. I think that the actual structure of your brain is what makes you you. The brain would have to be exactly recreated to do it.

I am also unsure if a diefferent physical presence would actually be me, rather than a separate being with my exact metal processes.

Steve

Elvithriel

Actually this is how it will work.

First you upload your brain to a computer. You then have a direct two-way communication with each making both just part of a greater system, one individual. eg: One consciousness running off of multiple machines

You are free to then kill off your biological brain with no ill effects or loss of a sense of self.

Elvithriel

Remember that anything hardware can do, software can emulate.

Try telling him that.

SteveD

Not so! Digital computers cannot exactly duplicate analog processes. I can tell you from experience that digital music recording does not produce the same results as analog. Maybe someday but not now.

Steve

Elvithriel

Software emulation is getting better all the time.

Elvithriel

For example, given enough computing power you can emulate the physical world itself, complete with emulating each atom and electron in a hardware circuit. (Or at least the ones that matter)

trillian

I would love to upload/download to my current brain. There are a few drunken escapades I'd like to delete, even the ones I don't remember (I'd like to forget not remembering).

Not sure I'd want to add anything... they might sneak a god in there.

trillian

cpickett

That is something that I always wondered about, if you "copy" your consciousness, is it really you? *play spooky music here*

*Kind Of Off Topic

I saw a movie once (if you could call it such), called XChange. The premise was basically that the way you travelled was to have your consiousness uploaded into someone to where you wanted to travel.

I thought it was a really cool concept, even if the movie was lacking...

Elvithriel

trillian1, be sure to send a copy my way.