The biological
evolution of information processing
in the evolution of language &
learning,
and
my search for=
the
missing link between body and mind
Section 5:
Improving
information processing in improving action for increased survivability and
reproduction
Rainer von
Königslöw, Ph.D.
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Abstract
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I
speculate that there is a missing link, something that connects physical
activity to mental activity.
Furthermore, I speculate that this missing link is related to the
biological evolution of language and learning. I investigate questions that are u=
sually
addressed in the field of neuroscience with empirical investigations. I propose a paradigm that investig=
ates
these questions from the perspective of information processing, and thus al=
so
fits into the field of artificial intelligence. I propose a design that uses an
‘inner language’ to control action sequences and to integrate
visual perception into action. I
investigate how this ‘inner language’ facilitates and enhances
learning. The investigation d=
emonstrates
and validates the feasibility and benefits of the ‘inner languageR=
17;
design with working prototypes.
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TOC
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Introduction: summary of previous sections
Chapter
1: Evolution and information
processing
Chapter
2: Improving mechanical and s=
ensory
hardware through evolution
Chapter
4: The evolution of ‘in=
ner
language’ functionality
Expanded TOC<= o:p>
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Introduction: summary of previous sections
Chapter
1: Evolution and information
processing
Topic
1: a definition of evolution:=
From Wikipedia, the free encyclope=
dia
Topic
2: evolution-related benefits=
from
improved information processing capabilities
Chapter
2: Improving mechanical and s=
ensory
hardware through evolution
Topic
1: bone capacity and capabili=
ty
Topic
2: joint capacity and capabil=
ity
Topic
3: muscle capacity and capabi=
lity
Topic
4: sensor capacity and capabi=
lity
Topic
5: vision capacity and capabi=
lity
Topic
6: hearing capacity and capab=
ility
Topic
1: information processing
architectures and trade-offs
Topic
2: processing capacity and
capability
Topic
3: memory and other data stor=
age capacity
and capability
Topic
4: information transmission
capacity and capability
Chapter
4: The evolution of ‘in=
ner
language’ functionality
Topic
1: instructions for more and =
more
complex and coordinated actions
Topic
2: more variety and clarity in
references to visual information..
Topic
3: more complex and more dive=
rse
conditionality
Topic
4: more complex and more indi=
rect
references (e.g. indexical)
Topic
5: plans and memories: descri=
ptions
of future and past action
Topic
6: hypothetical and counterfa=
ctual
descriptions
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In
biology, evolution is the process of change in the inherited traits of a
population of organisms from one generation to the next. Genes that are pas=
sed
on to an organism's offspring produce the inherited traits that are the bas=
is
of evolution. These traits vary within populations, with organisms showing
heritable differences in their traits. New or altered traits in individuals
arise in two main ways: either from mutations in genes, or from the transfe=
r of
genes between populations, as in migration, or between species, in horizont=
al
gene transfer. In species that reproduce sexually, new combinations of genes
are produced by genetic recombination, which can increase the variation in
traits between organisms. Evolution occurs when these heritable differences
become more common or rare in a population.
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Two
major mechanisms drive evolution. The first is natural selection, a process
causing heritable traits that are helpful for survival and reproduction to
become more common in a population, and harmful traits to become more rare.
This occurs because individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to
reproduce, so that more individuals in the next generation inherit these
traits. Over many generations, adaptations occur through a combination of
successive, small, random changes in traits, and natural selection of those=
variants
best-suited for their environment. The second is genetic drift, an independ=
ent
process that produces random changes in the frequency of traits in a
population. Genetic drift results from the role probability plays in whethe=
r a
given trait will be passed on as individuals survive and reproduce. Though =
the
changes produced in any one generation by drift and selection are small,
differences accumulate with each subsequent generation and can, over time,
cause substantial changes in the organisms.
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I make
the assumption that many, if not all, information processing capabilities a=
nd
capacities are controlled by heritable traits.
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I make
the second assumption that these heritable traits can differ from one
individual to the next within a species.
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I try to
show how these information processing capabilities and capacities have an
effect on natural selection by improving aspects of the individual’s
actions that are helpful to survival and reproduction. In this section I want to illustra=
te the
main types of information processing capabilities and their benefits.
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There
are many traits such as a better digestion, stronger bones and muscles, or =
even
better eyesight, that are not internal information processing capabilities =
and
therefore are not included in this investigation.
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We can
think of
·
rigidity
·
weight
to strength ratio
·
Failure
rates and conditions
·
Gracefulness
of degradation under failure and near-failure conditions
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We can
think of
·
Range
of motion (flexibility)
·
Degrees
of freedom (planes of motion)
·
Failure
rates and conditions
·
Gracefulness
of degradation under failure and near-failure conditions
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As for
process-control actuators, we can think of
·
Precision
·
Response
rate
·
Response
capabilities (linear, etc.)
·
Range
of motion
·
Error
rate throughout its range
·
Failure
rates and conditions
·
Gracefulness
of degradation under failure and near-failure conditions
=
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As for
process-control sensors, we can think of
·
Position
feedback, motion feedback, etc.
·
Precision
(resolution), capacity, and capability
·
Response
rate
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As for
video systems and cameras, we can think of
·
Raster-scan
resolution
·
Focal
depth of field
·
Colour
resolution
·
Frequency
range and resolution
·
Speed
·
errors
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As for
analog to digital audio systems, we can think of
·
frequency
range
·
frequency
resolution and precisions
·
speed
·
errors
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=
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As for
computers, we can think of
·
General
purpose vs. specialized (dedicated hardware) computing
·
Serial
vs. parallel processing
·
Central
vs. distributed
·
Fault
tolerant designs
·
Layering
with the equivalent of second generation and third generation programming
languages
·
Specialized
data representation vs. more universal, more flexible, and more shareable d=
ata
representation and storage
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As for
computers, we can think of
·
Processor
speed
·
Precision
in calculations
·
Processor
capabilities (e.g. reduced instructions set vs. complex instruction set)
·
Failure
rate and recovery
·
Maintenance
requirements (e.g. nightly shut downs)
·
Interrupt
handling capacity (e.g. simultaneous receipt of sensor, vision, and hearing
information)
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As for
computers, we can think of
·
Memory
capacity
·
Dynamic
refresh, persistent such as magnetic or optical
·
Random
access, index, associative
·
Error
recovery
·
Graceful
degradation under error
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=
As for
computers, we can think of
·
Rate,
such as baud rate (bits per second)
·
Bottle
necks and traffic congestion
·
Bidirectional,
duplex
·
Error
control, redundancy, and fail-over capacity
·
Precision
·
Routing
(e.g. attention)
·
Repairs,
redirection, detours
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We can
think of
·
More
clauses in the same instruction, corresponding to more independent yet
coordinated action
·
More
specificity and complexity in timing coordination
·
More
position, location, and geometry specificity
·
Temporal
order might me expressed such as do this then do that
· Location and other geometric dimensions might be used, such as put this beside that<= o:p>
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·
More
specificity in the descriptions
·
More
methods to compare or differentiate visual objects
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=
·
Conditions
can be embedded and conjoined
·
Visual
information might be compared on size and other geometric measures
·
Temporal
order might be part of the condition
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=
·
For
example: Go back and find the=
first
person you passed who was carrying a briefcase
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·
Action
sequences can be set into the future or recalled about the past
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Predictive
models will be discussed in the next section
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=
·
For
example: If it had been true =
that I
won the lottery then I would have …
·
It
appears as if animals occasionally ‘fake out’ other animals by
pretending to do something, seemingly with the intent to deceive
=
=
·
For
example: Most pet owners have=
such
tales …
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The biological evolution of
language & learning – section 5 version 1