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ThePokemon_BandaiD t1_j4oo0e2 wrote

I didn't read the actually study yet, but based on the article and my understanding of the field, this doesn't really seem that significant. it's just mimicking action potentials, the way an electric signal is transmitted chemically along a neuron, while the current understanding of the brain suggests that most of the information processing ability of neurons comes from the receptor-neurotransmitter balances and receptor regulation at the synapses, and how that affects network organization. those mechanisms are what allow learning, like back propogation or similar algorithms in NNs.

Edit: fixed "feels" to "field", and i did finish reading the study and my point stands.

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AndromedaAnimated t1_j4q30v1 wrote

If you didn’t read the study and base your understanding on the „feels“, how can you then go and critique it?

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ThePokemon_BandaiD t1_j4q44ei wrote

typo, i meant field. ive studied neuroscience for a few years in college and a good bit on my own. i read the article before commenting, also did just finish reading the study, and this tech really doesn't seem all that useful as opposed to existing electrostimulation of neurons and basic ion sensors. it could be useful in treating some neurological conditions in the future as a feedback device similar to a pacemaker, but doesn't really have any bearing on intelligence, computation, or the singularity.

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AndromedaAnimated t1_j4q4q0f wrote

Well, I studied neuropsychology and neurobiology in university, finished successfully too (Master’s level), so we are probably even ;) And to me it seems like a really nice direction of research with great results.

Why do you think that this direction is less interesting than direct brain stimulation/sensors? If you don’t mind writing more on the topic.

Edit: glad you corrected the „feels“ thing to field, it was rather confusing.

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ThePokemon_BandaiD t1_j4q5qkr wrote

I'll give you that you probably understand it better than me haha. i agree it is interesting research that could be useful in understanding the nervous system, my point is that it that it doesn't seem to have the relevance to the singularity and BCI that people in the comments are assuming. I'd imagine that BCI would require more understanding of neuroreceptor regulation and how expression levels change to allow useful self organizing properties(and therefore learning, self regulation etc), and that signals could be transmitted in such a system just as well through purely electrical means rather than simulating the slower electrochemical propogation of action potentials.

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AndromedaAnimated t1_j4q66hq wrote

Maybe you accidentally chose my comment to reply on in the beginning after reading the long discussion about the topic of brain devices and Elon Musk? 🤣

I understand being sceptical. For me it’s a promising step into a more precise way of combining bio brain with computing. The other approaches can still be valid!

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Voxmanns t1_j4q5q1w wrote

I think it's hard to tell.

I see this being most applicable to some brain and nerve damage, and maybe reduce the effects of decaying brain function in old age eventually.

It could also be a step towards better research of the brain. Since neurons are one of the building blocks of the brain, they might be able to create their own artificial synapse networks and learn more about how to treat, repair, or even augment complex neural networks inside of a real brain. Hell, if you push it far enough it might even be a means for them to build mimics of (or even totally new and useful) neural networks for people.

I'm getting ahead of myself though. I think the big step in this is that it's a fundamental piece of doing those crazy brain and CNS things we want to do. On its own, it's probably not going to be any thing super crazy. But it is a big piece of the puzzle.

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ThePokemon_BandaiD t1_j4q677q wrote

My point is its not simulating any of the computational aspects of the neuron, which lie mainly in neurotransmitter receptor expression and regulation, its basically just simulating the biochemical version of wires, which for computational purposes, can be simulated more simply with just regular wires, which are also much faster.

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