[wrp]

Alwyn Scott's Stairway to the Mind (1995) has an accessible critique of Penrose's theory from the perspective of neurophysics. Basically, he argues that neuronal activity is on such a large time and energy scale that quantum effects are unlikely to be relevant.

[Galaxeblaffer]

it does sound quite out there, i agree. and i personally think that it's too early to conclude that algorithms with neutral nets won't get us there, we simply don't have enough computing power to conclude that yet. Penrose has always been a Maverick and as he admits himself he's not even close to an explanation himself. his only lead comes from the fact that anesthetic gases seem to have some kind of effect on the microtubules and i guess that in itself could have a totally different explanation than Quantum magic. i mean the micrtubules could be important but for different reasons.