Communication in the Biological Hierarchy
From Neurons & Humans to the Biological Hierarchy
In an earlier article, Data Stream Energy Density, the Author introduced the notion that a sustained (repetitive) data stream is required to generate the complete Pulse of Attention. Only at the end of the pulse does the data stream's energy density reach completion (100%). According to our model, this completed energy density is required to spark the gap between mental and physical. On the simplest level, this process fires a single neuron. As evidence for this theory, the Author exhibited scientific evidence indicating that repetition is a crucial feature of turning learning into memory on both a neurological and human levels. The article, The Importance of Repetition for Experience, develops these parallels in more detail. The intent of the current article is show how this same repetition process could be the method by which the lower levels of the biological hierarchy communicate with the higher levels. The repetition is a guard against random firing – a type of neurological redundancy.
Life, the urge to self-actualize, operates at each level of the Biological Hierarchy
The meaning-making synergy between Life, Attention and the Living Algorithm is the core concept of this article stream. We have defined Life as the urge to fulfill potentials. Every organism consists of a biological hierarchy with many distinct levels. This urge to self-actualize operates at each level of the biological hierarchy – from the single cell on up to the human. Each cell has its own urge, its own agenda. The same holds true for the multi-cellular groups, the organs and the organism. Each level of the biological hierarchy, whether a single organ or a complete human, has a unique urge to actualize potentials.
Each level of the Biological Hierarchy acts as both a whole and as a part
There are a few features of the biological hierarchy worth noting. Each level acts as both a whole and as a part. Each level of the biological hierarchy is a sub-whole (borrowing Koestler's terminology) in relation to the lower level, and a sub-part in relation to the higher level. Each level, as a part, takes general directives from the next higher level and, as a whole, issues general directives to the next lower level. After taking directives from above, each level in the hierarchy has a certain amount of flexibility in fulfilling the orders. For instance, the human issues a directive to the hand to grab an apple, but the hand can approach the apple from multiple directions. Further each level, as a part, can make requests to the next higher level. For instance, the stomach might request nourishment by issuing a hunger pang.
The Code to the Matrix determines how the Directives are implemented.
Each level of the biological hierarchy has its own matrix with its own code. The code of each biological matrix determines how the level implements directives. This interaction (giving, taking and implementing orders) generally occurs between successive layers in the hierarchy. Only in extreme instances (injury or deprivation) will this interaction jump levels.
Each Level, including the Group, acts as sub-part & sub-whole
Koestler extends this biological hierarchy to the group. The members of a hive behave as a sub-whole in regards to their particular organism and as a subpart in regards to the collective colony. In similar fashion, each human is simultaneously an autonomous organism (the sub-whole) and a sub-part of the greater culture. When war is involved, young men must evaluate which of these roles is the more important - personal survival or cultural survival.
Each Level primarily communicates with Adjacent levels
Each level (L) must communicate with both the sub-level (L-1) and the super or meta-level (L+1). Only in extreme circumstances do the sub-level (L-1) and the meta-level (L+1) communicate. For an example of this type of organization, check out the chain-of-command in an army or a corporation. Each level is only meant to communicate with the adjacent levels of the hierarchy. For instance, the general or CEO rarely communicates with the rank and file (the ground soldier or the workers).
Digital Directives & Requests initiate Analog Execution
Higher Level binary communication; Lower Level analog assimilation
Koestler references an article, where the authors speculate that the meta-level (L+1) issues directives in a binary form that is translated into an analog form by the lower level (L) in the biological hierarchy.
“Since feedback circuits must be assumed to operate on every level [of the biological hierarchy], down to the single cell, the adjustments of the details of the ‘roughed in’ movement could be handed over to lower levels. Miller et al. have made the further suggestion that this handing down procedure may be the equivalent of converting an ordered code in a ‘digital’ language into a graded ‘analogue’ output. The excitation-clang could thus consist of in a series of ‘on’ and ‘off’ signals like the dots and dashes of the Morse code; but each sub-unit could respond to its specific ‘on’ signal by a ‘more’ or ‘less’ intense activity, dependent on local conditions.” (Act of Creation, p. 445)
Broad directives or requests from one level are particularized on the other level
Similarly it is plausible that each level (L) provides binary information to the meta-level (L+1), which translates it into an analog form. For instance, the Leader issues broad (binary) directives to his ministers, who particularize (analog) the commands to accomplish the task. Similarly, the soldier or worker generalizes particular incidents to complain to his immediate supervisor that he doesn't have the tools or time to accomplish his appointed task. The supervisor first evaluates this signal from below, whether it needs to be executed or not. If so, the supervisor calls a specific vendor or notifies the appropriate department to fulfill this general need. Both top-down and bottom-up communication proceed in the same fashion. To execute commands, the general communication is particularized. The primary difference in the two forms is that the top-down comes in the form of directives, while the bottom-up comes in the form of requests.
Top-Down Directives vs. Bottom-Up Requests
Single Directive vs. Multiple Requests
We’ve noted that the higher levels issue digital, possibly binary, directives to the lower levels of the biological hierarchy. The lower levels issue digital, possibly binary, requests to the higher levels. There is a big difference between a directive and a request. A single directive from above must be obeyed at whatever level is possible. For instance, the hand grabs the apple and brings it to the mouth without mediation. In contrast, a request must be issued enough times for the meta-level to take it seriously. Only after enough requests have been issued does the meta-level 'experience' the request.
Multiple Requests to prevent Random Firing
This repetition process is a precaution against random firing – the Chicken Little Effect. If the organism doesn't have the experience from an accumulation of firings, the organism is not sure whether to take the signals seriously or not. The redundancy of repetition ensures that the organism is not responding to a random signal.
Body sends multiple Hunger Requests to Mind
Our basic drives offer an example of bottom-up requests. If enough signals come up from the sub-levels of the Body, Life experiences this request as a pang of hunger. Perhaps she is busy doing other things. She ignores the pang. The Body becomes more and more insistent. The pang triggers the experience of hunger in the next realm. When the hunger pang is repeated with enough regularity, Life finally issues some top-down directives to satisfy this basic need.
After experience, Life sends Directive to Body
Life’s top-down directives must be obeyed within a certain latitude. Top-down directives don’t need to accumulate. They are direct and manifest relatively continuously. The organism issues the directive 'satisfy hunger'. The entire organism immediately mobilizes to satisfy the demand – “Head to the fridge.” This is an example of the difference between requests from below and directives from above.
Body executes Life’s top-down directives relatively continuously.
To satisfy the Body’s request for sustenance, Life immediately sets the Attention/Living Algorithm synergy to only pass on food-relevant data streams and to ignore all others. At this point the random filter is not enough. Recognition becomes the new issue. Out of all the visual data streams available, the Attention/Living Algorithm synergy somehow identifies a data stream that will satisfy the request for food, such as a piece of fruit or a sandwich. The motor mechanisms of fingers/hand/arm/torso/hips are engaged. “Grab the apple; open the mouth; place apple in mouth; engage teeth and tongue to turn it into a more usable form.” This brain-eye-hand-body communication is relatively continuous and direct. It does not require an accumulation of experiences.
Latitude in executing Top-down Directives
According to the model, directives are issued in digital form. Subsequently, the lower sub-levels of the biological hierarchy execute the commands in a more refined analog fashion. As mentioned, the lower levels have a lot of latitude in executing top-down directives. The eyes can rove over the landscape; the fingers can avoid obstacles; and the tongue/teeth team can synchronize their behavior to maximize their self-actualization process.
Attention/Living Algorithm Synergy: 1D Instants, 2D Moments, 3D Life Experience
The Living Algorithm transforms Binary Instants into Analog Moments
As mentioned in a prior article, the Living Algorithm specializes in transforming digital information into a “into a graded ‘analog’ output”. Let's assume for sake of argument that the Living Algorithm is Life's Operating System. If so, each level of the biological hierarchy communicates to the surrounding levels (whether issuing directives or making requests) via the Living Algorithm's mathematical process. This means that binary instants are converted into analog moments. If the instants maintain sufficient consistency for an adequate duration, these moments are transformed into a Life experience.
Attention transforms Moments into Life Experience
In effect, the Living Algorithm’s method of digesting information transforms an instantaneous one-dimensional instant into two-dimensional moment that exists through time. Life generally doesn’t experience moments. If Life pays Attention to a data stream for a sufficient amount of time, it transforms a sequence of these 2D moments into a three dimensional experience.
Moment Accumulation on one Plane leads to Experience on another Plane
The instants and moments occur on one plane of the biological hierarchy. The experience is the communication between two planes. The moments accumulate enough info energy density to transmit an experience to the adjoining level.
Sufficient energy density fires a Neuron: Neural firing is the next plane’s instant.
Let’s look at an example from the neurological level of the biological hierarchy. If a signal is sustained, the data stream accumulates enough energy density to fire a neuron (the experience). This experience is treated as an instant at the next level of the biological hierarchy. Enough neurons must fire (a binary response) to trigger action on the next neurological plane, whether it is to register a memory, change internal structure, or initiate behavior. Let us look at an example from the group meta-level. When only one employee complains, the supervisor may ignore the request. But if enough employees complain, the supervisor registers the experience and attempts to take action, whether to suppress the uprising or fulfill their demands.
Experience becomes an Instant on the Adjacent Plane
In summary, an 'experience' occurs on a higher level if there is enough action on the lower level. This 'experience' then becomes an instant on the next plane of the biological hierarchy. If enough of these experience/instants join together in successive fashion on this level, they create a meta-experience on the next level, and so forth. So every experience is also an instant, just as every part is also a whole. An experience generated from one plane is the Living Algorithm's data for the next plane.
Experience Hierarchy: neural firing –> blue -> blue sky
Hence the experience of the accumulation of sound waves or photons on the basic levels becomes the data for the next level. This binary data when digested becomes moments. If these moments are sustained, the organism has the experience of blue or perhaps loud. The blue experience when magnified and combined with other experiences could transform into a blue-sky experience or the humming of insects. This is an example of bottom-up communication.
Life can veto an experiential chain.
At each level of the hierarchy, Life could veto the further transmission of the experiential chain as irrelevant. For instance, satisfying hunger or quenching thirst might be more important than a blue sky. Life would focus Attention on signals that are related to fulfilling these biological needs and filter signals that are related to beauty. In the case of a frog, this focus could turn these moments into the experience of a ‘fly’.
Summary: Repetition required to generate an Experience
Life permeates every level of the Biological Hierarchy
Let's review to increase retention. According to the Author’s model, Life, as the urge to fulfill potentials, permeates every level of the biological hierarchy – from the single cell to the multi-cellular human. In the role of sub-whole in the hierarchy, Life both issues directives from above and takes requests from below. These come in a simple, perhaps even binary, form. In the role of a sub-part, Life attempts to execute the directives and requests in an approximate analog fashion. Although biological restraints certainly limit the possible range of response, there is flexibility as to how the directives and requests are fulfilled. Due to this flexibility, each sub-part of the hierarchy is better able to execute commands or fulfill requests. This ability to adjust to environmental circumstances is the essence of choice. Choices are, of course, modified and shaped by what has been learned from experience.
Living Algorithm provides Life with Data Stream Derivatives
How are these experiences generated? According to the Author’s model, repetition at regularly timed intervals is required to generate an experience on all levels of the biological hierarchy. Let’s review how this process occurs.
Our senses transform continuous environmental input into data streams. To actualize potentials, Life focuses the mental energy of Attention upon data streams that seem relevant. Once Attention focuses upon a data stream, the Living Algorithm’s digestive process provides the rates of change (the derivatives) of the data stream.
Life focuses Attention upon Data Stream Acceleration to Censor Random Noise
Initially, at least, the most important derivative is the data stream's acceleration. By focusing upon a data stream’s acceleration, Life is able to differentiate a random from an organized signal. A data stream’s ongoing acceleration provides a measure of both the intensity and energy density of the data stream. The intensity and density of random noise is insignificant. To avoid wasting mental energy upon meaningless information, Life focuses Attention upon organized data streams and ignores those that are random. This crucial function prevents information overload that could prevent Life from making up-to-date decisions that further the chances of fulfilling potentials on whichever biological level she is operating.
Pulse of Attention, a graphic visualization of an Experience
Something interesting occurs when Life commits to an organized data stream. If uninterrupted, the mental energy of Attention generates a pulse of acceleration. For example, the Living Algorithm’s Pulse of Attention is a graphic visualization of the acceleration of a data stream of 1’s. The data stream’s intensity is highest at the peak of the pulse, while the data stream density is highest at the end of the pulse. According to our model, the information contained in the Attention Pulse is only transmitted to the next level at the end of the pulse when the density is highest. This completed transmission is what the Author defines as an Experience. Accordingly, the Attention Pulse is a picture of a single Experience.
Experience: the communication from lower to upper levels of biological hierarchy
According to the model, the higher levels of the biological hierarchy only ‘experience’ requests from the lower levels if a request is repeated enough times. As such, the lower levels communicate with the next higher level via timed repetitions. As examples, the Body communicates with the Mind by sending multiple hunger pangs. The Public communicates with the government via petitions that contain many signatures. Indeed, democracy is an example of how the masses communicate to the ruling class through the repetition of many votes. In this case, the election becomes the experience.
Repetitions associated with Learning & Memory
On more fundamental levels, the repetitions that generate an experience are associated with both learning and memory. The Author provides scientific evidence that supports this repetition principle on both micro and macro levels of the biological hierarchy. Neurons require timed repetitions (multiple firings) to cement a change (learning) on the cellular level. In similar fashion, humans require repetitions to retain information and cement the body memory associated with sports and music. It is evident that both learning and memory are based upon regular repetition in timed intervals.
Repetitions –> Completed Energy Density –> Experience
The model predicts these correspondences. The sustained mental energy of Attention generates a pulse of acceleration. The energy density only reaches completion (100%) at the end of the pulse. When the energy density is complete, the information contained in the pulse is transmitted from one level of the hierarchy to another in the form of an experience. Could this experience include the neurological changes that are at the heart of memory and learning?
Is there more evidence that Life, Attention, & the Living Algorithm are a meaning-making entity?
Is this yet another parallel between biological systems and the Living Algorithm’s system of digesting information? Or are we just imagining things? Is there more evidence that links the Life, Attention, and the Living Algorithm together as a meaning-making entity? Is Life really involved in a synergistic relationship with Attention and the Living Algorithm? Do these three constructs serve separate functions in an indivisible whole (a gestalt)? If Attention is a relatively automatic process, what role does Life play?
For some plausible answers to these difficult questions, read the next article in the stream – The Living Algorithm's Decay Factor.