The Brain, A Decoded Enigma Part 9

ZM-models are activated by the a.s.sociated external reality. There are also ZM- models that are not a.s.sociated to an external reality (e.g. when we solve a problem of mathematics).

Any ZM-model a.s.sociated to an external reality works in a.s.sociation with some M-models, and also in a.s.socition with any other ZM-model.

MZM: this term is not a.s.sociated with a model, but with a structure of different ZM, YM, ZAM, and AZM models. These models are very often used together. Such a structure is generated by the technological implementation of the brain, and it optimizes the activity of the brain in a section of the external reality.

ZAM: these models are long-range models used to modify the external reality. They are artificial models (they are not generated by direct interaction with the external reality) and they are also invariant (they cannot be changed by direct interaction with the external reality).

AZM: these models are a.s.sociated with the organs that can interact with the external reality (hands, legs and so on) in a direct way.

XZM: these models are called also "illegal models", because they are not included in the normal structure of models. A normal model is a model for which any prediction is accepted in a harmonic/logic way by any other model of the structure. XZMs are, thus, individual models which have no normal communication with other models. Thus, a brain is not able to detect such models. In some situations, such models can become active and gain control of the being. They can also transmit some information to the normal structure of models.

WBAM (would be-active models): such models are artificial models that are generated by a ZM-model. Thus, a ZM-model predicts a situation for which there is no normal model. If a new external reality occurs, and there is no normal model to understand it, the PSM is activated. A ZM-model can make a WBAM- model, based on its predictions, so that, when the new external reality occurs, the ZM will activate that WBAM and so PSM is not activated.

s.h.i.+ELDING MODELS: Any model has the tendency to become stable. There are some models which cannot become stable. Such models can destabilize the whole structure of models due to some infinite loops performed in order to gain stability (the model with problems will activate some other models, including the PSM, in a continuous way). A s.h.i.+elding model is created by the main ZM. It intercepts some truths which can activate some other models (incuding the PSM) and transmits to the model with problems some information which stabilizes it. The reality generated by a s.h.i.+elding model is called "illusion". The best known s.h.i.+elding-model is religion. This s.h.i.+elding model stabilizes any model which predicts the death of the person so it blocks the activation of the PSM.

STORY-TYPE MODELS: Faced with a new external reality, the normal tendency of the brain is to make a normal model, or to activate a suitable model from its collection of models. But, when the external reality is changing very fast, this procedure cannot be followed. In this case, the brain records the information based on short-range models. These short-range models are connected between them based on the order of occurence. Such a model (string- type) is called "story-type model". Story-type models are used later ("off line") to make or improve the normal models.

PROTECTION AND SURVIVAL MODEL (PSM)

This is the fundamental image model of any brain. When a new being is born, the brain contains only the PSM. The PSM contains a collection of basic short range models (e.g. reflex actions) and long-range models (e.g. the instincts) for a minimal protection of that being and to ensure the unconditional survival of that being, forever (these are the basic design features).

The PSM contains also a model of the external body (bones, muscles, and so on) and also some basic models of interaction with the external reality (e.g. the model to follow with the eyes the movement of an ent.i.ty from external reality, or the model to touch an ent.i.ty from external reality, which is in the range of the hand). There are also some models to ensure the equilibrium of the physical body.

Faced with a new external reality, the PSM is activated and it tries to solve the problem, based on its short-range models (e.g. reflex actions), but it will also create a new element, which is a.s.sociated to the new external reality. Once the new element is created by PSM, this element is self- developing as a model, in order to understand the new external reality. When such an external reality occurs again, the specialized model created during the first occurence of the new external reality will be activated instead of the PSM. Such models are normal models (they do not belong to PSM).

Thus, as a new born being gains experience, the PSM will not be activated, but the models previously created in the interaction of that being with the external reality.

A model, which belongs to PSM, cannot be changed regardless of the information received from external reality (the PSM contains only invariant models). In special conditions, e.g. when a big danger exists for the being (as detected by PSM), it is possible that a new model enters the PSM. Basically speaking, any model can enter the PSM. For a normal brain, the PSM must contain only "standard models" (see the general theory and ETAs) because, once a model is in PSM, it cannot be changed regardless of the information received from external reality. Even more, any information from external reality can be accepted only if it can be accepted by PSM.

Example: Let's suppose that in the PSM of a person there is a non-standard model which considers that the frogs are very dangerous. Regardless of the information received from external reality, that person will be horrified when frogs are around.

The content of the PSM is very hard to be known because the PSM is activated only when there is no normal model to understand the external reality.

The PSM is an image model and it will remain so forever.

EXAMPLES, TESTS AND APPLICATIONS (ETA) a.s.sOCIATED TO THE MDT THEORY

These ETAs are intergrant parts of MDT and show how it works in some specific cases. The order of occurence of the subjects is random. MDT tries to keep its generality as much as possible, independent of the technological implementation of different brains.

ETA 1: The Model

The model is a collection of elements and relations between the elements. There are two types of models: image models (or a.n.a.logic models) and symbolic models. The elements and relations.h.i.+ps are given explicitly for the symbolic models, and implicitly for the image models.

Image models (a.n.a.logic) can't be given in an explicit manner. They are given as they are, as a whole. This is an intrinsic property of the image models.

To give a model in an explcit manner means to describe the elements and the relations.h.i.+p between the elements, but this takes us outside the a.n.a.logic model. That means to translate the image model into a symbolic model (we need to use words to describe the image model). Even if the translated model is a.s.sociated to the image model, it is a different model.

Example: given an image model of an airplane, its elements are the main body, the wings etc. One of the wings could break in two, so it is made of two pieces. Actually, it contains an infinity of elements, as it could break in any way. In any real situation, it is by far easier to build an image model, than explain what had been built. This is why we say that an image model is just given as it is, and not defined explicitly. Anytime we refer to an image model, we need to take into account this fundamental issue.

Application 1: Image models in poetry and painting A poet imagines something- there is an image model in his mind. The poet will translate somehow this image model into several symbolic models (e.g. statements), trying in fact to a.s.sociate the image model from his mind to a collection of symbolic models, materialised in the text of the poem. It is a.s.sumed that the text of the poem, together with other image-type elements (Rythm, rhyme, intonation etc) will be able to make the reader/listener to rea.s.semble somehow the initial image model from the poet's mind.

In the case of painting, the painter has in front of him a subject (e.g. a person). This subject is perceived through all the senses the painter has. What results is an image model of the subject based on this complex interaction. This image model from the painter's mind will be translated into another image model that will show on the canvas. The translation means only to a.s.sociate a model to another. The translated model can be built anyhow within very large limits, based on the complex image model from the painter's mind. It is supposed here as well, that the viewer will remake somehow as an image model the initial model from the mind of the painter.

Application 2: Image models from the external reality Long time ago, when people needed to build some complex structures (e.g. a fortress), in the first phase they had to make a sketch of what they intended to build. This is valid only for less complex constructions. For more complicated structures, the most used method was to build a 3D model. The model can be easily a.n.a.lyzed and modified. With the model in sight, the brain is able to simulate its behaviour for situations a.s.sociated with the external reality and to correct the discovered deficiencies, on the model. This model can be used at the effective building of the external reality.

Nowadays, the image models are very highly developed. E.g. a model built based on complex specs can be used to simulate its behaviour during an earthquake. The data obtained can be used to predict the behaviour of the actual building.

The highly developed image models are used on large scale in technology (skysc.r.a.pers, suspension bridges, airplanes, and actually in any complex technological product). These image models can then be used to simulate possible situations from external reality, including extreme situations, before the actual construction of the technological product.

The symbolic models are built using GCL (General Communication Language). They have explicit elements and relations.h.i.+ps. They can be built only by humans. The most important symbolic model is GCL itself. Its elements are in the first place the nouns, as the relations.h.i.+p between elements are mainly the verbs. Contrasting to image models, which evolve based on laws of harmony, symbolic models evolve based on logic (see general theory). The presence of GCL in a brain will define that brain as a human brain.

Important note: GCL is not really a symbolic model. It contains only components (elements and relations.h.i.+ps). Whenever a symbolic model for communication is built (e.g. a sentence), one needs to choose components from GCL. As any use of GCL is materialised in a symbolic model and because there is no proper word for it, GCL is considered by extension a symbolic model.

Technology uses models on a very large scale. Image models have initially been used, but nowadays, due to the high costs of the image models and for other reasons, symbolic models and the use of computers are favoured (e.g. symbolic models are built currently for buildings, suspension bridges, airplanes and s.p.a.cecrafts, with the help of computers).

For training purposes, symbolic models are built and used for simulation of nuclear plants, or flight behaviour, or anything, where it is necessary that future crew/staff to gain experience beforehand. Present technology is based in fact almost exclusively on symbolic models.

Application 3: From the iron to the s.p.a.ce shuttle

Apparently an iron is too simple to require a design based on a symbolic model. False.

Let's take a simple technological detail: the holes used for steam exhausts for moisturising the tissue. Some questions are, e.g. how many holes it needs, where, what shape and dimensions are needed for uniform moisturising of the tissue with minimum water consumption and at lowest costs. Clearly, it is possible to build a.n.a.logic models, which can be tested experimentally. Based on the a.n.a.logic (image) models one can obtain certain results, but there is no guarantee that the optimal solution was found. The existing image model cannot be modified, as such. If we want to make any change in the image model we have to rebuild it from scratch, as we already know, which implies time and money.

The vaporisation and dispersion process of the steam through a complex structure as the surface of the iron, tissue and the support, is very complex. Physicists, based on symbolic models, with help of computers, solve this type of problem. The rebuilding of the model in order to find a better solution is far simpler on a symbolic model, than on an image model.

If in the case of an iron, the highest risk is that the customers won't buy the non-performing iron, in other cases the risks involved are unacceptable.

For instance, the s.p.a.ce shuttle was 'verified' for reentering the atmosphere on a symbolic model. This phase of the flight, by far the most dangerous, would have been impossible to test before the actual flight. The crew was trained on symbolic models in all the phases of the flight, and in all normal and exceptional situations. The astronauts have learned to fly for reentering the atmosphere, based mainly on training on symbolic models.

Given a model (image or symbolic), it can be used to predict its further evolution. This is achieved by changing/ adding/ removing a parameter/ element/ relations.h.i.+p and following what happens. This process is called simulation on the model. As we know, the results of the simulation on the model are called truths a.s.sociated to the model.

When a model is a.s.sociated to external reality, by simulating on the model, we can predict the evolution of the external reality. These operations are done either by the human (image and symbolic) or the animal brains (image models only).

We need to note here- it is as important, as it looks trivial: We extend to the external reality the structure of symbolic and image models from our brain. This extension is done not only in the domain of science and technology, but also in all domains of life. For each of us, the world itself is given as a sum of all the projections to external reality of all the active models of the brain. This statement is true for animals as well.

Example: The laws voted in the parliament are long-range symbolic models; they are an extension of the structure of models from the brains of the authors of the laws.

The prediction of the evolution of external reality (see general theory) is the main requirement of design for the human or animal brain. Thus, this requirement is fulfilled by the facility of the brain to build and operate models.

ETA 2: Truth, reality, and communication

Any result of the simulation on a model is a truth a.s.sociated to that model. As pointed out in the general theory, a truth is a.s.sociated by us to a symbolic message (generated by a symbolic model); however in order to keep the terminology simple, in the case of image models, a result obtained by simulation on the model is also called 'truth', in spite of the fact that it is used 'as is', without the necessity to explain it.

Example: If an animal builds an image model of the external reality, predicting a dangerous situation, it is possible to find the solution to the problem by simulation on the model. This solution (the truth) might be, e.g. to flee. The truth will activate directly the preexistent action model, which is in this case to flee.

We'll refer from now on only to symbolic models. If no model is specified, any truth is nonsense.

Example: The truth is a car crashed into a wall". This truth might be generated by any of the following models: -accident -test -movie/cartoon -computer game