KONRAD SZYCHOWSKI & GRZEGORZ JANIK Holographical Concept of Reality – a Unifying Theory for Physics, Neurobiology and Philosophy
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CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com
Konrad A. Szychowski, Grzegorz I. Janik
Holographical Concept of Reality – a Unifying Theory for Physics, Neurobiology and Philosophy Abstract: The aim of this article is to introduce readers to holographic concept of reality shared by different fields of science. It may show, that understanding the world around us is a task beyond our comprehension dues to its multi-level structure. Is it possible to learn about holographical reality with our limited human mind which itself could be a multi-dimensional hologram?
Tags: neurobiology, hologram, awareness, philosophy, history;
KONRAD ANDRZEJ SZYCHOWSKI Assistant professor in Department of Public Health, Dietetics and Lifestyle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow. Member of several international scientific societies. Currently manager and executor of research projects funded by the Polish National Science Centre. Research objectives are focused on the effects of xenobiotics on hormonal homeostasis and the functioning of the nervous system.
GRZEGORZ IGNACY JANIK Graduate of the Scientific Information and Library Science with a specialization in teaching (Polish Philology) at the Pedagogical University of Krakow. His area of interest is broadly defined theory of books in pop culture. His blog "Książki i/lub Czasopisma" is devoted mostly to the subject of his interests, and also covers other issues in the fields of culture and art. In private life a lover of books and music.
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com
Introduction From the immemorial times, thinkers, philosophers and scientist present different hypothesis, in order to explain existential problems of the Universe, especially taking into account the human equation. Man, as an emanation of the absolute, claimed to be ruler of the known Universe, with a task to make all by his bidding, and yet be in harmony with nature. There is a question minds around the world struggle to answer: Is our world real? Are the surrounding us objects, both living and dead are really tangible objects or just projection of those objects? The development of quantum mechanics initiated in the 20's of XX century allowed scientists to understand basic characteristics of matter and to use more theory in their studies, rather than with a method of trial and error. Nevertheless in the surrounding us reality there are puzzles, which solutions elude current research methods, leaving a wide field for purely theoretical thoughts, for often very abstract visions of reality. The Universe as an example, with a multitude of galaxies and immeasurable worlds, as well as something beneath the eyes of every man, something that despite constant growth of knowledge is still a mystery - the human brain. The authors of this article will attempt to approximate the theory of holographical reality, for biologists, chemists and humanists alike as an interesting issue, in a wide spectrum of contents; historical, cultural, as well as social. Hypothesis in which our world is an uber-dimensional projection is far older than most assume.
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From a holography to a hologram - what are they? Keenness of scientists is boundless. Researchers of the well-known Shroud of Turin, officially recognized as material, in which the body of Jesus Christ was wrapped in for three days in the tomb. The shroud, according to one of many expertise (conducted by many researchers from 1898), is a medieval forgery made with camera obscura, being a simple optical device enabling to achieve a real picture, for instance on a canvas. According to this theory, the effigy of Jesus is just a hologram, a mirrored image made through a technique of holography, and in simpler words, through simple optics, and not a real picture The Holy Son. This example fits perfectly to the technical explanation of the term hologram; and it is simply a three dimensional picture written on a flat screen obtained by reconstruction of light waves. A hologram is reproduced, in space by interfering the beams of light, and as a result, 2D (2 dimensional) object is experienced as a 3 dimensional one, and depending on the angle of light, we can obtain different images and save them once more on flat surfaces maintaining the illusion of multi-dimensions. Probably the easiest method of passing on information about reality, it's reflection, is casting a shadow for instance at theatrical spectacles, where a reflection of some sort of object, it's shade, become a form of artistical medium. This form of entertainment was probably used very early on, by primitive tribes from the dawn of time. And so, from simple play of shadows to using more sophisticated optical devices used to generate three-dimensional images, we reach the more subtle issues concerning processing reality, and also it's perception – to the rule of holography formulated by Gerardus Hooft and Leonard Susskind. In the early 90's, in their “strong version” it is said, that a
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com
description of any three-dimensional object or fragment of space is included on a two-dimensional space surrounding that object. In a more notional “weak version” is mentioned, that the whole Universe may be viewed as a twodimensional informational structure “painted” on cosmological horizon. Within this theory, everything, including ourselves, is a holographical record of information derived, possibly, from a distant galaxy. This seemingly weird and counter-intuitive theory, known as Holographical Rule, contributed to solving many paradoxes of modern physics, such as the black hole informational paradox. According to the holographical theory, information is gathered above the surface of the black hole and doesn't a central point of singularity. The hologram alone is just a form of writing and saving information. This idea is commonly used by popular science fiction authors. We could have in mind images from films like Star Trek, or the Star Wars saga, in which holograms are a common form of communication or storage of information. Peculiar overlapping of culture and art with science is a reason why even the most abstract theories are taken into consideration by scientists, as well author are inspired by those theories. The Cosmos as a Super Hologram Holographical theory a novelty? Is it true that Hooft and Susskind established this concept first? Or maybe their idea is collection of ideas drawn not only from other researchers, but also derived from everyday life? From ancient times, Plato, in one of his dialogues, “Politeia” (known as The Republic), proclaimed the theory of Idea using an allegory of a cave. The cave shows stranded people inside who can observe only shadows (phenomenon). People’s
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faces are turned towards the wall (being a form projection screen), on which are casted shadows of things, before the bonfire, lit above them. The bottom of the cave, is the earthly place they live in. The shadows on the other hand, are the reflection of the true Idea. It is hard to inquire what inspired Plato explain in this form, maybe the play of shadows mentioned earlier influenced him. Holographical theory of reality isn't literally the same concept as Plato's Idea, but have many things in common. Watching the starry sky, we contemplate the silence, the vastness of space overwhelms us, and yet relaxing with apparent peacefulness. Little flashing of stars and silence, aphonia surrounding of dark vacuum, this feeling of peace is merely an illusion. Earth is a receiver of many, difficult to interpret waves forms space, impossible for humans to hear. Scientists working with the Hanover, gravitational wave Detector GEO 600, have been for long left with a mystery surrounding a weird noise, recorded by their device. Craig Hogan, Director of the Fermilab Center for Particle Astrophysics, believes, that the hum originates from the frontiers of space-time, from a place where time and space stop being a continuum. Beyond this point time and space form numerous, grain like shapes, instead of a smooth lemniscus. If the results of GEO 600 are what they appear to be, we all are living in a great cosmic hologram. The theory explains some of the earlier black hole paradox'es and basic concepts concerning construction of the Universe. Hooft and Susskind in the early 90's proposed it's broadening to the whole reality in general. Unfortunately it's reception would mean that we agree with the concept, that our everyday life is just a projected reflection of a physical process occurring in a distant two-dimensional space on the edge of the Universe. Similar to the Plato concept of perfect Idea's, it will never be within our abilities to perceive
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com
true nature of “Gods Formula�, because it's beyond abilities of our instruments and our limited minds. But the theory of a holographic Universe is still waiting for confirmation. Nevertheless scientists admit, that there isn't enough data, to be certain. The Brain as a Hologram For many years, Karl H. Pribram, professor of psychology wandered about the nature of consciousness, personality, and means of storing information. Research conducted through decades have shown, that memory engrams (memory traces) are not strictly confined to a certain location, but are scattered through different parts of the brain. In a series of experiments, conducted at the turn of XIX to XX century it has been established, that the brain has specified structures connected to memory, but the way of recording information. In the 60's Pribram had come across the Holographic theory and had come to realize, that he found, what brain researchers looked for. He thinks, that memory records aren't coded in single neurons, but are rather scattered through the whole brain. This happens similar to a laser beamed through a frame of film with a holographic image. In other words, Pribram thinks that the brain (more precisely consciousness) is a hologram. Pribram's theory also explains, how can the human brain gather so much memory records on such a small surface. It is estimated, that the human mind has a memory capacity of over 10 trillion bits of information throughout lifespan. There has also been a discovery that holograms have an astounding
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ability to store information. By changing the angle, by which two beams of lasers interact with a piece of photography, we may obtain many different pictures of the same surface. It has been proven, that a single square cm can store up to 10 trillion. In the light of holographical model of the brain, that Pribram layed down, can solve not only the mystery of gathering information. However, the most valid question, is how the brain can transcribe such a flow of information given by our organ senses, into useful series of neural signals which we call thoughts. Coding and decoding information by neurons is probably the same method as in holograms. The brain is a biological computer which can transforms, which appear, without meaning of frequency in a coherent picture. Pribram thinks, that the brain has some sort of “lenses”, and works by the laws of holography, in order to remold received through the sensory nervous system series of nervous impulses into an inside world of our thoughts. A number of meaningful evidence suggest, that the brain uses laws of holography, in order to accomplish certain tasks. Pribram's theory gained an ever-growing support within neurophysiologists. His certainty, that the human brain forms “hard” reality sustained by frequencies flowing over senses, has gained support by many experiments conducted in neurophysiology. A crack in a great theory, or is it? Theory proposed by Pribram has undoubtedly many advantages and solves many problems of modern neurobiology, unfortunately it has been shaken by a discovery of a so called “grandma's cell”. This term has been created by Jerry Lettvin in 1969, based upon his experiments, in which a single cell reacted to an image of grandma. This extreme interpretation of hypothesis about
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“grandma's cell” assumes, that a single neuron reacts only to a single stimulant. If a single neuron that reacts to an image of a single object could be found, then there are bases to believe, that there must be more of them, because finding a single neuron among billions is very slim. Moreover, if only one neuron would be responsible for a representation of only object in our mind, and would be damaged or destroyed due to illness or injury, there wouldn't be a trace of that object, which is highly unlikely.
Doctor Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Multiple personality disorder, a person within a person, freed completely involuntarily maybe yet another proof in support of Holographical Theory of Reality. Dissociative identity disorder, has been for many years a true puzzle, an due to its mysterious nature many scientists doubt it exists. A theory from a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, published in 1886, called: “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, telling a story about a serial murderer hidden inside a body of a well-established doctor, has been considered highly unlikely by most scientists. Multiple personality disorder, known commonly as a split personality, manifests in a person developing two or more personalities in one body that take control over the person one by another. Different personalities may by unaware of other existing ones and can have blocked access to information acquired by other personalities; just as in the case of poor doctor Jekyll, unaware of crimes committed Hyde. One may assume that people with multiple personality disorder are just faking it, if not the fact that in 1978 and
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com
1988 teams of Dr. Ludwig and Dr. Nissen have proven, that along with „switching” between personalities there is a change in brain wave patterns (EEG), as well as many neurophysiological parameters such as sensitivity to pain and stimulus. People affected by this syndrome may two or three to even a dozen, which can differ not only by character, but also by sex and preferences such as left or right handedness. Well then, how many people hide in one person? The Holographical theory of personality neatly explains the existence of such disorders. To take back information brought up earlier, the brain works similarly to a hologram, changing it's angle of laser beam (the brain adjusts rhythm of EEG waves), thus giving a different image (different personality).
Summary Reality seizes to exist, the dissolution reveals itself, becomes tangible every time when reps of science put into consideration yet another theory that can better describe it. Although we try with all our might, using even the most keen methods, we will never be able to reach Plato's Idea, because they lie far beyond abilities of out imperfect perception. Although we think, that we are physical beings that live in a physical world, it may be an illusion, an image created possibly beyond our world. In reality we are just “receivers”, floating in a kaleidoscopic sea of brain waves. Everything that surrounds us we perceive through our senses of hearing, smell, touch and above all by vision, is just an illusion created by our imperfect mind based upon information from outwards. We can even be not the only ones, living within our body, without even knowing it. Can we be certain about who we really are?
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com
Acknowledgments The authors like to thank Mr. Krzysztof Pogocki for the translation of this article into English.
References for further reading 1. Hawking S., Teoria Wszystkiego – czyli krótka historia wszechświata [The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe], HELION, Gliwice, 2009 2. Heller M., Logos Wszechświata – zarys filozofii przyrody, ZNAK, Kraków, 2013 3. Ludwig AM, Brandsma JM, Wilbur CB, Bendfeldt F, Jameson DH, The objective study of a multiple personality. Or, are four heads better than one? Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1972, 26:298-310 4. Nissen MJ, Ross JL, Willingham DB, Mackenzie TB, Schacter DL., Memory and awareness in a patient with multiple personality disorder. Brain Cogn, 1988, 8:117-134 5. Quiroga RQ, Fried I, Koch C. Brain cells for grandmother. Sci Am. 2013; 308:30-35 6. Reale G., Myśl starożytna, Wydawnictwo KUL, Lublin, 2003
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com
Konrad A. Szychowski, Grzegorz I. Janik Holographical Concept of Reality – a Unifying Theory for Physics, Neurobiology and Philosophy
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies Journal ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12). The Archetypes of Cyberspace. ISSN 2299-906X Marika Wato Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web: www.CyberEmpathy.com
CyberEmpathy - Visual Communication Studies ISSN 2299-906X ISSUE 1 / 2016 (12) The Archetypes of Cyberspace www.CyberEmpathy.com