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Cognitive Networks: Brains, Internet, and Civilizations

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Humanizing Mathematics and its Philosophy

Abstract

In this short essay, we discuss some basic features of cognitive activity at several different space-time scales: from neural networks in the brain to civilizations. One motivation for such comparative study is its heuristic value. Attempts to better understand the functioning of “wetware” involved in cognitive activities of the central nervous system by comparing it with a computing device have a long tradition. We suggest that comparison with Internet might be more adequate. We briefly touch upon such subjects as encoding, compression, and Saussurean trichotomy langue/langage/parole in various environments.

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Acknowledgements

Yu. I. Arshavski in his ample correspondence with Yu. Manin discussed and clarified for us various problems of modern neuroscience and the relevant problems of AI. Earlier articles by and email exchanges with Nora Esther Youngs, Carina Curto, and Vladimir Itskov were also very stimulating. We are cordially grateful to them.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York, NY, USA

    Dmitrii Yu. Manin

  2. Max–Planck–Institut für Mathematik, Bonn, Germany

    Yuri I. Manin

Authors
  1. Dmitrii Yu. Manin
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  2. Yuri I. Manin
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Correspondence to Yuri I. Manin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA

    Bharath Sriraman

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Manin, D.Y., Manin, Y.I. (2017). Cognitive Networks: Brains, Internet, and Civilizations. In: Sriraman, B. (eds) Humanizing Mathematics and its Philosophy. Birkhäuser, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61231-7_9

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