The notion of creating machines with the capabilities of the human brain has always fascinated science fiction fans.

House of cards

There is one specific reason that the current computer model will never achieve that goal. Computers are based on a binary system. While complex processes can be built from the “if, then” electronic reasoning, the processes will always be analogous to a house of cards with each component reliant on the whole structure.

Fluid transports

The human brain, in fact all life on this planet, exists in an aqueous environment. Water is polarized, which means that one side tends to have a positive charge while the other side tends to have a negative charge, and this charge is ever changing as molecules bump into each other and share or exchange atoms. Unlike the hard wiring of a computer, the transport of ideas, emotions and the state of consciousness in the human brain takes place in a solution.

Emotions wash through

To add another dimension of complexity, the activity of thinking that takes place in the fluid between the dendrites is redundant. When one synapse fires, a range of activity follows. It is accurate to say that emotions wash through us, usually disrupting not only cognitive functions, but biological functions as well.

Process analogous to an orchestra

Human thought process is analogous to a symphony orchestra made up of numerous musicians and instruments. While the conductor indicates the tempo and tones, the possible variations of renditions of a single symphony are endless. The variations in the processes of ideas and emotion aren’t random or accidental, but neither are they predicable. If one dendrite hits a sour note, it doesn’t necessarily spoil the symphony.

Emotions misunderstood

While computer programs can be written to imitate all the variations of a symphony orchestra, the next step, introducing emotions to this binary system, is not logical. The inherent problem with programming emotions and consciousness into a computer is the misunderstanding of the function of emotions.

Survival dictates response

Emotions aren't separate from the chemical reaction of life, but rather, emotions are an intrinsic part of the reaction. Billions of years of evolution did not create emotions. The basic delineation between life and non-life is the ability to respond to outside conditions. This response is chemical whether we’re discussing a single cell or a complex organism. Emotions are a strategy available to complex organisms-- a sophisticated strategy that is able to shut down some systems in order to focus on a set of specific, survival activities. If the appropriate reaction to a stimulus is fear, then processes not necessary to deal with the threat can be subverted.

Sacrifice may be necessary

In the chemical reaction of life, fear is not a sub-routine. It is a evolutionary process that is capable of destroying parts of the organism itself, including consciousness, in order for the general chemical reaction to continue. Emotions are chemical reactions that wash through an entire organism. If an arm or leg, even a liver or brain needs to be sacrificed in order for the general body to survive an attack, that is an acceptable evolutionary price to pay for the continued existence of the whole. The basic function of emotions is to enhance the odds of continuing the chemical reaction of life. A similar disruption of a machine’s overall activity would undermine its ability to function.

A fluid computer?

A computer does not need to interrupt its overall functions to attend to a specific threat. The ‘house of cards’ cannot sacrifice large parts of its programming and still remain an intact function. Emotions and consciousness are not chain reactions or a domino effect. Like salt dissolving in water, brain chemicals diffuse causing variations of fluid reactions. Before emotions can be programmed into machines, the machines will need to duplicate this fluid model.