On the latest thinking about consciousness (1)
The suggestion that consciousness might be substrate-dependent 鈥� in other words, that protoplasmic brains can be conscious but silicon can’t 鈥� is an example of vitalism, the idea that living things have properties that are inexplicable by the rules of physics and chemistry (10 July, p 34).
This concept has been in retreat since 1828, when Friedrich W枚hler made the bodily substance urea from inorganic ammonium cyanate. Given centuries of progress in genetics, biochemistry, neurology and so on, vitalism can only be deemed mysticism. The requirements of consciousness aren’t exotic: self-awareness, attention and memory are probably all that are necessary, though integrating these functions may call for ingenuity.
Consciousness-generating hardware may already be feasible (maybe it is already being built). To save expense, the hardware could be emulated in software. You could probably impose consciousness on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum, one of the first home computers. It would take thousands of years to form a single thought, but presumably it wouldn’t notice the sluggishness any more than we notice the rattle of our own thinking machinery.
On the latest thinking about consciousness (2)
You ask: “Is consciousness detectable in the brain?” The answer is: not always. People can have conscious experiences when their brains are “flatlining” (see, for example, ). Any theory of consciousness that can’t account for such facts is insufficient.
If some of the theories for consciousness are correct, then brain organoids are conscious and we shouldn’t be playing with them. Conversely, if organoids aren’t conscious, then those theories are incorrect and the question remains: what makes us conscious and not them?
Softer pavements will have unintended downsides
You report the idea of making pavements softer and safer (10 July, p 46). As a full-time wheelchair user, I spend a lot of time looking at the surface I am about to wheel over. I suspect a softer surface will require more effort to push on, much as hard, dry, close-cropped grass does, possibly inversely in line with the findings you mentioned on foot pressure in volunteer joggers.
As minority users, it will be up to us to find some minor tweaks in wheelchair design and technology to try to reduce this effort. While softer may be safer, it will cost some of us more.
Is this why doctors are downplaying pain?
The account of J. S.’s pain not being taken seriously because she was a woman will resonate with many women on many levels (26 June, p 25).
I have come to the conclusion that, as well as displaying the prejudices against women described in the article, some doctors feel the unknown is a threat they can’t handle, so they ignore it and hope it will go away.
Views on the call to rewrite genetic terms (1)
I greatly welcome geneticist Adam Rutherford’s attempts to clean up the language of his profession, but I fear for his success (10 July, p 23).
Some 40 years ago, I tried a very similar thing for the membership of one of the UK’s largest trade unions. My simple (and, as I saw it, reasonable) thesis was that as the English language is rich and complex, then it ought to be a simple matter to find alternative expressions that don’t give offence.
The reactions were immediate and intense. The phrase “political correctness” had recently come into vogue and was extensively bandied, even in some national newspapers. Our members generally condemned the effort as pedantic and patronising.
I do hope Rutherford has much greater success, but I suspect that the conservative attitudes of his fellows will win the day.
Views on the call to rewrite genetic terms (2)
It is a basic mistake to imagine that forbidding words has the power to forbid thoughts. I would rather current geneticists spent their time on breakthrough genetic research than language choices.
Geoengineer the oceans? That's a no from me
Regarding the plan to dump iron in the oceans to promote plankton growth to capture carbon (3 July, p 13). This implies we must modify the chemistry of the oceans on a global scale so that fossil fuel companies don’t have to change their business models and politicians can kick those difficult decisions into the long grass.
Should we be dabbling with feedback loops that we either don’t fully understand or even know exist, and will take us heavens knows where should we get it wrong? No!
I fear the rise of a really bad variant in England
You say that the lifting of all coronavirus restrictions in England is a gamble (Leader, 10 July). I agree.
Covid-19 variants have, to date, emerged from locations with high infection rates and zero or low vaccination rates, including Kent, UK, in 2020. Government policy in England appears to be intent on creating a new scenario with both high infection rates and high full and partial vaccination rates, creating an environment for a different variant to emerge that could reduce the efficacy of current vaccines to a great degree.
I, too, have long-lasting symptoms after vaccine
Robert Law writes of long covid-like symptoms in his 40-year-old daughter after coronavirus vaccination and asks if others have had the same experience (Letters, 10 July).
Yes! I thought it was just me! I had the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab on 14 June, at the age of 68. That night, I had violent shivers. In the four weeks since, I have had headaches, “fog”, breathing difficulties and lethargy, feeling dizzy if I attempt even low levels of exercise. Are any researchers studying the impact and recovery rates of people after vaccination?
The swimming platypus has no need to glow
Glowing in the dark will remain a platypus mystery (8 May, p 41). These animals close their eyes when swimming underwater and find prey with their sensitive “rubbery” bills.