[visarga]

> I don't understand the strong certainty against the idea that there's some physics based piece of the puzzle that we're missing.

There is a missing piece of the puzzle all right, it's the huge role the environment and body play in developing intelligence. Everyone's focusing on quantum effects or just the brain forgetting that all they learn comes from the experience of the environment on the body.

The forces that shape and restrict life are the same that guide our learning process and evolution. We're looking too close to the brain and missing the big picture. Embodiment is the thing we're glossing over.

Quantum intelligence or consciousness seems like a detour, a blind walk into mysticism unless someone can prove there are things in neurology and AI that only make sense from a quantum perspective.

[jquery]

I think it’s a strong conjecture that quantum effects at the single neuron level in the brain are significant. Given how evolution has had billions of years to operate and “train” itself, I don’t think it would be surprising to discover quantum-mechanical processes were deeply intertwined with intelligence.

I think there is some definite upside to knowing the ultimate complexity of a single neuron.

Is it a detour? I don’t think we can say for sure either way until the question of how a single neuron works is settled.

[dmingod666]

I have no opinion in either direction, but, I don't think nature discriminates in the usage of its tools based on the current understanding of humans.