Hacker News Reader

Comment by randomImmigrant | Hacker News Reader

An octopus is what results when water gains consciousness.

I think of jellies more that way than octopuses, but consciousness in primitive creatures is a debatable topic.

I don’t think there’s a hard line. Nematodes will react to being touched, that implies a primitive level of self-awareness. Most animals possess some form of proprioceptive sense, against, a form of self awareness. Higher self-awareness is just about being able to predict and plan your own actions a few more moves ahead.

Not that I necessarily disagree, but it's easy to build small mechanical devices that react to being touched, so that alone doesn't imply self-awareness. As you go to smaller and smaller organisms, they start to more closely resemble actual mechanical(/chemical) devices.

Awareness doesn't imply self-awareness.

Your leg is aware that your doctor hammered your knee; but is it self-aware? Not that we know.

People are just so loose with these concepts it's hard to even have an argument.

A bug wills to go forward but it is unaware that it is glued to some sick scientist's rig. It may well be conscious through the whole ordeal. Unaware and unremembering until the scientist mercilessly puts him in a freezer.

Consciousness maybe, but intelligence is a given. Amoebas can transfer memory and intelligence no problem simply by meeting and combining

Reply on news.ycombinator.com