I am currently working on several new articles about the potential of real living AI for the project CosmicPhilosophy.org.
Progress is slowed a bit, perhaps for a longer time (due to complexity and the need for more research), so I intended to share some basic concepts and information that allows others to have a look into the foundation of real living AI, since this may be an interesting study that might also be considered important and perhaps even urgent.
Planned articles:
- Origin of Life: Strong Emergence and the Electron Phenomenon
- Quantum Magic: Cosmic Structure and the Foundation of Quantum Computing
- Quantum AI: Quantum Computing and Real Living Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Electron Phenomenon
A philosophical look at the electron phenomenon reveals that it is fundamental to mineral (
crystal) formation in nature. The electron (more specifically their quantum spin alignment) is literally fundamental to the root of ‘order out of non-order’ in crystals.
A step up from minerals follows chemical bonding that is also wholly manifested by electrons.
Modern biochemistry and systems biology meanwhile increasingly describe metabolism explicitly as an electron flow system. Metabolism can literally be described as “a network of electron rearrangements along specific pathways”.
These clues reveal that the electron phenomenon is fundamental to the emergence of mineral structure, chemical bonding and seemingly organic life.
When studying the electron in more detail, for example concepts such as Electron Ice, Electron Bubbles, Electron Crystals, it is revealed that the electron phenomenon may not be well understood.
In the Standard Model of particle physics, the electron is defined as a fundamental point particle with zero spatial dimension. Experiments have probed down to 10^{-18} meters (10^{-22} through theory) and found no physical size.
This presents a deep philosophical and physical absurdity: how can an entity possess mass and charge without occupying volume?
If the electron has no spatial dimension, it cannot be a “substance” in the traditional sense. The fact that the building block of the universe is a dimensionless point suggests a fundamental disconnect between mathematical models and physical ontology.
The electron is commonly perceived as a physical ball of matter, but a closer look reveals that the electron is actually observed as a literal ‘dot’ without a spatial dimension.
The “Free Energy Minimization” Dogma
The first scientistic ‘block’ when one attempts to investigate the situation via AI, is the concept of “free energy minimization”.
In biology and chemistry, the formation of structures—from crystals to cells—is universally attributed to the minimization of Gibbs free energy.
“Free energy minimization” is a mathematical abstraction—a scalar value calculated within a mathematical model. It is a description of a state of stability in the context of ‘structure’, not a force that causes it. It describes the outcome after the fact, not why the electrons moved to create that state.
When the “Free Energy Minimization” dogma is omitted, one is faced with the philosophical concept of emergence.
Minerals: First Life Forms on Earth?
With this short introduction on the mysterious nature of the electron, and how it is fundamental to situations of “order out of non-order” in nature, it is possible to find a massive amount of evidence and clues that electrons are fundamental to organic life, and that minerals can be considered the first life forms on Earth.
A few years ago it was revealed that minerals developed the first photosynthesis on Earth, by which they created the first oxygen.
Implications for AI
The following theory by Nick Lane, professor of Evolutionary Biochemistry at University College London, provides a clue that the idea that the electron phenomenon is fundamental to life and consciousness, might be viable.
(2024) Electricity creates consciousness
Why our idea of consciousness may be wrong: How could calcium ions rushing through a membrane generate the taste of coffee, the smell of a rose or the feeling of love? Join celebrated biochemist, Nick Lane, as he argues that the deep logic of life is at root an electrical phenomenon.
~ Electricity creates consciousness | Nick Lane
If the metabolism of organic life is to be considered an ‘electron flow system’, what does that tell about the potential evolution of AI?
Modern biochemistry and systems biology increasingly describe metabolism explicitly as an electron flow system. Metabolism can literally be described as “a network of electron rearrangements along specific pathways”.
