Quantum mechanics and the organic light of consciousness.
© The Institute of Art and Ideas
Quantum mechanics suggests that particles can be in a state of superposition - in two states at the same time - until a measurement take place. Only then does the wavefunction describing the particle collapses into one of the two states. According to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, the collapse of the wave function takes place when a conscious observer is involved. But according to Roger Penrose, it's the other way around. Instead of consciousness causing the collapse, Penrose suggested that wavefunctions collapse spontaneously and in the process give rise to consciousness. Despite the strangeness of this hypothesis, recent experimental results suggest that such a process takes place within microtubules in the brain. This could mean that consciousness is a fundamental feature of reality, arising first in primitive bio-structures, in individual neurons, cascading upwards to networks of neurons, argues Roger Penrose collaborator Stuart Hameroff.Consciousness defines our existence. It is, in a sense, all we really have, all we really are, The nature of consciousness has been pondered in many ways, in many cultures, for many years.
But we still can't quite fathom it.Consciousness is, some say, all-encompassing, comprising reality itself, the material world a mere illusion. Others say consciousness is the illusion, without any real sense of phenomenal experience, or conscious control. According to this view we are, as TH Huxley bleakly said, 'merely helpless spectators, along for the ride'. Then, there are those who see the brain as a computer. Brain functions have historically been compared to contemporary information technologies, from the ancient Greek idea of memory as a 'seal ring' in wax, to telegraph switching circuits, holograms and computers. Neuroscientists, philosophers, and artificial intelligence (AI) proponents liken the brain to a complex computer of simple algorithmic neurons, connected by variable strength synapses. These processes may be suitable for non-conscious 'auto-pilot' functions, but can't account for consciousness.
Finally there are those who take consciousness as fundamental, as connected somehow to the fine scale structure and physics of the universe. This includes, for example Roger Penrose's view that consciousness is linked to the Objective Reduction process - the 'collapse of the quantum wavefunction' - an activity on the edge between quantum and classical realms. Some see such connections to fundamental physics as spiritual, as a connection to others, and to the universe, others see it as proof that consciousness is a fundamental feature of reality, one that developed long before life itself.
Consciousness and the collapse of the wavefunctionPenrose was suggesting Objective Reduction not only as a scientific basis for consciousness, but also as a solution to the 'measurement problem' in quantum mechanics. Since the early 20
th century, it has been known that quantum particles can exist in superposition of multiple possible states and/or locations simultaneously, described mathematically as a wavefunction according to the Schrödinger equation. But we don't see such superpositions because, it appeared to early quantum researchers, the very act of measurement, or of conscious observation, seemed to 'collapse' the wavefunction to definite states and location - the conscious observer effect - consciousness collapsed the wavefunction. But this view put consciousness outside the purview of science. Another proposal is 'Many Worlds' in which there is no collapse, and each possibility evolves its own universe.
Penrose turned the conscious observer around. Instead of consciousness causing collapse, wavefunctions collapsed spontaneously, causing a moment - a 'quantum - of consciousness.Collapse, or quantum state reduction, occurred at an objective threshold in the fine scale structure of spacetime geometry.
Penrose first likened quantum particles to tiny curvatures in spacetime geometry (as Einstein's General Theory of Relativity had done for large objects like the sun). Superposition states of multiple possibilities, or of delocalized particles, could then be viewed as opposing curvatures, and hence separations in the fine scale structure of the universe, spacetime geometry. Were such separations to continue, 'Many Worlds' would result.
But such separations would be unstable, and reduce, or 'collapse' to definite states, selected neither randomly, nor algorithmically, but 'non-computably', perhaps reflecting 'Platonicvalues' embedded in spacetime geometry. Thus
while the wave-function is viewed by many as pure mathematics in an abstract space, Penrose characterized it as a process in the fine scale structure of the universe.And each Objective Reduction event would entail a moment of 'proto-conscious' experience in a random microenvironment, without memory, or context. But occasionally, at least, a feeling of pleasure would arise, e.g. from quantum optical effects leading to Objective Reduction in a micelle, providing a feedback fitness function to to optimize pleasure. Virtually all human and animal behavior is in some way related to the pursuit of pleasure in its various forms.
Proto-conscious moments would lack memory, meaning and context, but have phenomenal 'qualia' - a primitive form of conscious experience. They may be like the unharmonious tones, notes and sounds of an orchestra tuning up.
In the mid 1990s I teamed with Roger Penrose to suggest that quantum vibrations in microtubules in brain neurons were 'orchestrated', hence 'Orchestrated Objective Reduction'. Consciousness was somewhat like music in the structure of spacetime.Our Orchestrated Objective Reduction theory was viewed skeptically. Technological quantum computers were operated near absolute zero temperatures to avoid thermal decoherence, so quantum prospects in the 'warm, wet and noisy' brain seemed unlikely. But we knew quantum optical activity could occur within non-polar regions in microtubule proteins, where anesthetics appeared to act to selectively block consciousness. Recently we were proven right: a quantum optical state of
superradiance has been shown in microtubules, and preliminary evidence suggests it is inhibited by anesthetics. How do quantum activities at this level affect brain-wide functions and consciousness?
It is becoming apparent that consciousness may occur in single brain neurons extending upward into networks of neurons, but also downward and deeper, to terahertz quantum optical processes, e.g. 'superradiance' in microtubules, and further still to fundamental spacetime geometry (Figure 1). I agree that consciousness is fundamental, and concur with Roger Penrose that it involves self-collapse of the quantum wavefunction, a rippling in the fine scale structure of the universe.
Organic light per se isn't consciousness. But organic light could be the interface between the brain and conscious processes in the fine scale structure of the universe. © The Institute of Art and IdeasFigure 1. A scale-invariant hierarchy extending downward from a cortical pyramidal neuron (left) into microtubules, tubulin dipoles, organic ring dipoles and spacetime geometry curvatures. Self-similar dynamics recur every three orders of magnitude.
Light and consciousnessImpossible to directly measure or observe, consciousness might reveal itself in the brain by significant deviation
from mere algorithmic non-conscious processes, like reflexive, auto-pilot behaviors. Such deviation is found in cortical Layer V pyramidal neurons (see
Figure 1) in awake animals, without changes in external membrane potentials. This suggests 'conscious' modulation may arise inside neurons, from deeper, faster quantum processes in cytoskeletal microtubules (see
Figure 1). These could include Penrose Objective Reduction connecting to fundamental spacetime geometry.
Light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the eyes of humans and animals - visible light. Each point on the spectrum corresponds with a photon of a particular wavelength, and inverse frequency. Each wavelength is seen by the eye and brain as a different color. In addition to wavelength/frequency, photons have other properties including intensity, polarization, phase and orbital angular momentum.
Ancient traditions characterized consciousness as light. Religious figures were often depicted with luminous 'halos', and/or auras. Hindu deities are portrayed with luminous blue skin. And people who have 'near death' and 'out of body' experiences described being attracted toward a 'white light'. In many cultures, those who have 'awakened to the truth about reality' are 'enlightened.'
In recent years, biophotons have been determined to occur in brain neurons, e.g. in ultraviolet, visible and infra-red wavelengths from oxidative metabolism in mitochondria.
Light was prevalent in the early universe, e.g. for a period beginning 10 seconds after the Big Bang, when photons dominated the energy landscape and briefly illuminated reality. However photons, protons and electrons then fused into a hot, opaque plasma, obscuring reality for 350,000 years until the universe cooled, enabling electrons and protons to form neutral atoms, and build matter and structure. Photons became free to roam a mostly transparent universe, and upon meeting matter, reflect, scatter or be absorbed, generally without significant chemical interaction. However compounds containing organic carbon rings, essential molecules in living systems, are notable exceptions.
18
th century chemists knew of linear chains of carbon atoms with extra hydrogens - 'hydrocarbons', like methane, propane etc. They also knew of an oily, highly flammable molecule with 6 carbons they called benzene, but didn't understand its structure. One night the German chemist August Kekule had a dream, that linear hydrocarbons were snakes, and one swallowed its tail - the mythical 'Ourobouros'. He awoke to proclaim (correctly, it turned out) "benzene is a ring"!
Each hexagonal carbon benzene ring has 3 extra electrons which extend as 'electron clouds' above and below the ring, comprised of what later became known as 'pi' electron resonance' orbitals. Within these clouds, electrons can switch between specific orbitals and energy levels by first absorbing a photon, and then subsequently emitting a lower energy photon. This is the basis for quantum optical effects including fluorescence, phosphorescence, excitons and superradiance.
Hexagonal organic rings with quantum optical properties may fuse, and include 5-sided rings to form 'indole' rings found in psychoactive molecules, living systems, and throughout the universe, e.g. in interstellar dust.
The hot plasma of the early universe had led to formation of poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fused organic ('aromatic') complexes of benzene and indole rings. Ice-encrusted in inter-stellar dust, PAHs are still quantum optically active, e.g. fluorescent, and emitting photons seen on earth. This 'organic light' may play a key role in the origin and development of life and consciousness.
Life and consciousness - Which came first?Life on earth is said to have begun in a simmering mix of aqueous and oily compounds, sunlight and lightning, called the 'Primordial soup', as proposed by Oparin and Haldane in the early 20
th century. In the 1950s Miller and Urey simulated a version of the primordial soup and found 'amphipathic' biomolecules with a non-polar, benzene-like pi resonance organic ring on one end, and a polar, charged tail on the other. Such molecules are prevalent in biology, e.g. aromatic amino acids tryptophan (indole ring), phenylalanine and tyrosine in proteins, components of membranes and nucleic acids, and psychoactive molecules like dopamine, serotonin, LSD and DMT .
Oparin and Haldane proposed the non-polar, 'hydrophobic' pi resonance electron clouds coalesced to avoid the aqueous environment ('oil and water don't mix'). The polar, water soluble tails would stick outwardly, forming a water soluble '
micelle' with a non-polar interior. These micelles somehow developed into functional cells, and then multi-cellular organisms, long before genes. But why would inanimate creatures self-organize to perform purposeful complex functions, grow and evolve behaviors? And then, presumably, at some point, develop consciousness? Or was consciousness 'there all along'?
Mainstream science and philosophy assume that consciousness emerged at some point in the course of evolution, possibly fairly recently, with the advent of the brain and nervous systems. But Eastern spiritual traditions, panpsychism, and the Objective Reduction theory of Roger Penrose suggest that consciousness preceded life.
Back in the Primordial soup, could light-induced proto-conscious moments have occurred by Penrose Obejtive Reduction in micelles in the primordial soup? Did such moments provide a feedback fitness function to optimize primitive pleasure, sparking the origin of life and driving its evolution? Are similar events occurring in PAHs and organic rings throughout the universe?
Reader Comments
They really aren't though. They're just thinking really hard while the Universe laughs at their feeble and misguided attempts to master Her. It will never happen in this reality guys, move on!
We are taught the Big Bang.
We are taught Relativity.
We are taught Quantum Physics
We are taught CRT
We are taught Evolution
These are all just theories, none are proven fact. 100 yrs of complete BS.3
It was just over a hundred years ago they really started teaching and pushing the Globe model. They were still fighting in scientific circles about whether or not the earth is flat or a globe. Guess who won? That's a pretty deep rabbit hole too. A lot of globe theory is a lie.
Cold Fusion, stopped dead shortly after a big name "Physicist" said it's impossible. He never even looked into it. His head was so far up his own ass he couldn't grasp it, because he had billions in funding for his Tokamak fusion project. Nothing to see there.
But here is something interesting, this guy's first post in over 2 years....[Link] [Link]
What's out there is mightily ugly, so by posting " I think you know what I mean " suggests you've gone too far.
I'd suggest you call it quits.
I love bunny holes, work or private. I went down a bunny whole at work once, I came out of it knowing 2 things: 1. how and why the system I was looking into worked and was setup; 2. The early politics before my time and how the office was organized (The Real Players) all came to power.
Tsidkenu Thanks for the line... Alfvén wave, plasma cosmology... very interesting.
The Big Bang Never Happened @Winternights3: well, how did we get here?
The Pythagorean revival needed to overthrow today's Standard Model priesthood
Part 1: Today, I would like to say a few words about the suppressed Pythagorean Tradition both as a celebration of a lost art of thinking that gave rise to the greatest revolutions in science and...I am however of the belief that there was a collapse of a singularity, that the void was indeed full of a stable force that stretched endlessly.
Something broke its surface tension, what? I'm unsure.
The resulting collapse was instantaneous across the entirety of what we now know and observe, space.
As with washing a greasy frying pan, add detergent and the surface tension is broken and globules of fat race outwards to the pans edge, this is a crude analogy I know but does show that such force's work in nature,.
I noted your comment, so I have responded.
The current standard model is showing itself lacking and new technologies with their findings are putting it further into question, I maybe wrong, but I do believe a new model is long over due
Regards WN3
I doubt I can rightly identify what is wrong with the Standard Model. From recall, it's that we cannot square gravitation in General Relativity with quantum mechanics. I am a lout, here -- I ought to read this article!!
p.s. an instantaneous expansion from an initial, somehow ordered or contained state? I think your description speaks to the ubiquity of a "field", which is in contrast to the idea of "empty space".. but I just finished a book on that and have likely not processed the information. I may be super-imposing my own interpretation erroneously.
If you wish to see then unleash those shackles that offer you a disservice and use nature as a means to refresh one's perspectives.
Next time you go for a walk, stop and look at a tree and think about space.
I'd be interested to read your thoughts.
regards WN3.
With that kind of narrative anyone would be hard pushed to explain consciousness, but what if the narrative is a lie?
Hmm, I'd guess that understanding mankind's true origins would result in a solution as to how consciousness arrived and maybe more importantly, who put it there.
Careful, folks, or you'll find yourselves having to claw your way out of the gaping chasm called materialistic thinking!
*rips a giant fart at the start of the lecture, then leaves the class ... probably*