I'm Packing Plastic.

The way cognition and memory works, we process only solitary thoughts, pictures, smells compounded into more complex sequences of seconds--really a large amount of data filed together. The glory of memory allows us to learn and record moments in order to apply them to future situations, future pictures and smells and feelings that will then compound into another memory to file. Consciousness organizes our world by occupying the forefront of our mind; we perceive and process what we are conscious of, i.e- what we encounter. However, we cannot record the memories of separate beings as they occur outside our field of consciousness. We can never experience consciousness according to our loved ones, or Bob down the street. This may sound crass, but it is sometimes difficult to categorize Bob as valid in comparison to ourselves as a result. Bob may not be thinking, he may be humming a tune and functioning in our world with all the cognition of a duck, swimming and occasionally following other ducks south. I don't believe that an automaton could probably exist throughout the evolution, the selection, of humanity--the apes that remember--because complex thought processes can yield advantage from the simple; because complex thought processes can take advantage and cause the demise of the too simple. But, in order to vault ahead, there must exist those behind (at least for a little while). So, what if Bob existed following the pack, regurgitating trivia and sound-bites, and generally not rocking the life boat (the survival boat), but not providing innovation? In theory, he exists. Let's find him. He could, in theory, exist because he is, by nature, un-imposing and particularly helpful in any situation in which pawns are needed.

Bob aside, we can imagine that general computation and memory appears similarly in humans because the hardware of the brain develops similarly within species. We can compare the more tangible senses as an example and metaphor for the more complex and abstract of brain functions. Hardware that functions similarly yields similar results, if not identically, in humans with sight, smell, taste, touch, working senses. It may be that we can assume a basic similarities in interpretation and the storing of information that comes from the input of these senses. So, if we all share the same hardware, what causes differences between humans? Differing memories can even exist from the same physical situation; is this a mis-memory or an input problem? Compartmentalizing experiences, exercised areas of expertise, and genetically fortified talents overlap areas of recognition in the neural transmitters. Neural pathways grow or gain prominence when exercised and strengthened. Now, the brain (within plasticity restraints) becomes individual. Each human filters an ordinary occurrence through their previous knowledge, expertise, experience, and files accordingly.

How amazing it would be if the next neural-mutation and innovation could be awareness and ability to interpret the cognition of others. I would pay huge sums to view a memory or perceptual picture of any other (Bob excepted) But still, I would view the slide through the lens and projector of my own neural processes. This is why true empathy is quite daunting, if not impossible.