RE: virus: conscious/subconscious (form. level 0)
Schneider John (JSCHNEID@hanoverdirect.com)
Mon, 16 Dec 1996 03:53:06 -0500
Kenneth Boyd wrote:
> > > Incidentally, electronic neural network computers designed to
> > > learn continually [i.e., electronics that completely mimic the
> > > brain structure] require dreaming in order to function. They
> > > can also have fairly convincing analogs of the replay-life
> > > version of a near-death experience. [some snippet in a
> > > 1995/1996 Scientific American]
> >
> > This is hogwash. Dreaming is not necessary in order for our
> > minds to function.
>
> Not that we're ever going to verify this:
>
> Let's see you be awake for 72 hours continuously, without
> any chemical boosting [caffiene, tea, coffee, diet pills,
> antihistamines, Dayquil as stimulants. Ban hallucinogens, they
> get in dreaming automatically [sic]. I also disallow the
> depressants, such as sleeping pills.]
>
> Note that I mean *continuously*. Dozing off for 10 seconds
> disqualifies the contestant.
>
> If you actually can *do* this: you have just proven you are at
> risk for a major mental illness! If you can actually do any
> creativity at all after hour #30, you're doing better than anyone
> I've ever met in person, including myself.
>
> If you fail: I rest my case. Your body demanded dreaming so
> severely it bashed you into taking it.
I don't know if I could make it 72 hours without a doze, but after
working third shift for years, then taking a year off for grad,
school, then coming back to third shift.... I can recall having
played the guitar (and improvised, implying creativity) after being
up for a good thirty hours. Although, that's a different level of
creativity than, say, being required to write a math proof.
- JPSchneider
- jschneid@hanoverdirect.com