Brains of Sand       B       Biocybermatics    

Figure B.1 depicts the Biocybermatic mandala. All possible biological states of organisation and operation, command and control, are included in the eight sectors lablled 1..8.  TDE theory is a logical development of biocybermatics. The TDE model provides a comprehensive solution to the multiple interlocking puzzles of 'strong/realistic AI'. TDE theory is both biologically plausible and medically sound. It represents a quantum leap in our understanding of our own intelligence.

Figure B.1

The BCM is divided into four basic areas, labelled COGNA, CORPORA, VISCERA and SOMA. These are (classically-inspired) labels which stand for MIND, MECHANISM, INTESTINES and BODY. The English names were deliberately avoided so that specialised meanings could be ascribed to each category, or taxon.

CORPORA -this quadrant describes every possible type of (physical, real-time, on-line) mechanism. It is further subdivided into ANALOG (numerically continuous- sector#1) and DISCRETE (numerically integral - sector#2) subtypes. Both living and non-living systems (ie both people and robots) are mechanisms which conform to this paradigm. 

EXAMPLE[1] - the gearshift in an automobile is a DISCRETE CORPORA because the hand can only engage one of (say) five possible gear ratios (gear tooth number ratios). One cannot choose a gear ratio between, say, third and fourth gear, because most modern gearboxes are not equipped with fractional gear selections. However, the brake pedal or gas pedal are ANALOG CORPORA because they allow the driver's foot to adopt infinitely many command input positions. EXAMPLE[2] - A chess game is a discrete mechanism, because each piece can only occupy one of 64x64 possible locations, while a chess board is an analog mechanism, because each piece can actually be placed anywhere on that board, or cover two locations, etc. 
EXAMPLE[3] - Static bodily postures represent a finite set of bodily configurations, multidimensional positions where global forces are balanced over torso, limbs and extremities, requiring minimum force input from musculature. Static postures represent a finite type of CORPORA. When the body moves, its limb positions may depend on situational and other dynamic and transient factors, and so, dynamically speaking, the body is an analog CORPORA, or mechanism. 

COGNA -this quadrant describes every possible type of (virtual, off-line) mechanism, such as animal nervous systems.  The COGNA subtype governs the CORPORA, in the same way that our thoughts govern our behaviour. It is further subdivided into SERIAL (sequential instructions/positions- sector#3) and PARALLEL (concurrent instructions/positions - sector#4) subtypes.

EXAMPLE[4] - Command-line instructions, which are interpreted sequentially, not compiled, are an example of serial control of a computer file-system operations. However, source code instructions (they used to be called 'batch' programs in the days of punched cards) are compiled, so that they exert their governance concurrently, ie they are converted into OS processes which influence computer operations in combination with each other, ie in a parallel fashion. EXAMPLE[5] - the COGNA cybermatic subtype allows us to make intelligent assumptions about the structural (morphological) relationship between subconscious and conscious thoughts. Because conscious thoughts have a sequential, narrative nature (each current complete thought excludes others, and the sequence of thoughts usually tells a story), we can confidently assume that conscious thoughts are computed serially by the linguistic processes in our brains, while subconscious thoughts possess structural parallelism, ie they can occur concurrently because they only represent constituent parts of whole thoughts, and cannot in themselves form a subjectively meaningful idea. Schneider & Schiffrin (1977) presents concrete, unambiguous (but not linguistic) evidence that (a) our minds are indeed structured in such a two-tiered manner, and (b) the two-tiered form is a result of the critical dependence of serial and concurrent computational tasking on the memorisation of visual targets (see Stroop test).

Notice that the SOMA is subdivided into DISCRETE/ANALOG subtypes in the same way, and for the same reason, as the CORPORA- they are both mechanisms. However, the SOMA is a command/feedforward (off-line) mechanism, while the CORPORA is a control/feedback (on-line, real-time) mechanism. The DNA/genomics is the DISCRETE form of our human SOMA, while the proteinomics (eg enzymes of all kinds) is the ANALOG form.

Notice that the VISCERA is subdivided into SERIAL/PARALLEL subtypes in the same way, and for the same reason, as the COGNA- they are both computational processes. Our brains are analogous to 'idea-digesters', or 'thought-stomachs'. Similarly, our stomach and intestines are a kind of nutrition computer, 'parsing' the stuff we eat, in order to execute its 'meaning' (energy, vitamins, proteins constituents).

Note that Figure 7.1 (Figure 1, Section 7) tabulates four categories of experience - narrative, situation, embodiment and drives. As an exercise, the reader is encouraged to match each of these to the most appropriate quadrant in the BCM. (You should provide reasoning- correct answers below*)

*narrative/reasoning = cogna; situations/configurations = corpora; embodiment/species = soma; drives/metabolism = viscera.