The evolution of language

This section is a first pass at exploring evolutionary goals and constraints that might affect how information integration, as well as information compression might have developed

In the previous chapters we explored the input for visual perception (pixellated 2D images, with colour depth). We also explored the output for action, in the form of specifications for muscle tension for each muscle, at the rate of 1000 per second.

The two information streams have to meet and interact, to maximize the success rate of action using perception.

• Action must use vision to improve the success rate over 'blind' action
• Adaptation of action to the current circumstances is likely the main way that use of vision can increase the success rate of action sequences

We also explored how the storage of experience in the form of images and actions might support basic learning

• We realized that the storage of 'raw' experiences is severely limited, and that some form of compression is required
• We also realized that the comparison of present experiences with stored experiences might be part of the proces of learning from experience and of selecting appropriate action
• Comparison, selection, and compression / decompression are likely candidates for information processing functionality

The following conjectures on evolutionary goals and constraints are intended to help motivate the key hypothesis underlying this investigation.