HACKER Q&A
📣 aeim

Next steps for solo researcher arriving at Computational Theory of Mind?


There seems to be a simple way to think about and explain our minds that is consistent with experiential practices like meditation, observations of scientific method, and with mechanisms of evolution by natural selection.

A proposed Computational System design describes brain mechanisms and mind processes that explicitly and specifically impact the way we are - it is predictive and testable.

Initial reasoned observations appear to suggest consistency across phenomenological experience from volitional and circumstantial behaviours to often overlooked or dismissed idiosyncrasies (& points to explanation for a number of curious observations in scientific experiment).

Jolly good.

The problem is, I'm not in academia, and it's taking a while to write up. It has become much bigger than one person.

  - Any tips/ thoughts on moving forwards? 
    - Positive
    - Cautionary
  - Concept validation?
  - Connect with academia?
    - Or relevant specialists?
  - Independent release? 
    - Incremental?
    - What would you want to know first?
  - I'd prefer to remain anonymous initially as if it is shown to be formative it will upset some people
    - Any thoughts on this?
  - Would I be better asking somewhere else? 
    - If so where?
Many Thanks

  👤 p1esk Accepted Answer ✓
You don't need to write anything up. No one would care to read it (no one you'd care about). I'm guessing at least a hundred "Computational Theory of Mind" papers get published every year. Build a demo of what your system is capable of - ideally it should be a task current deep learning models have trouble with. If it works and is in fact novel, people will notice, and maybe even want to play with it. Only then, if you ever get to that stage, it might become bigger than one person.
👤 manx
If you want to share, I'm interested in the topic and willing to listen. I'm doing my own thought and code experiments in this area privately. Email is in profile.

I don't recommend going into academia. The system is unfortunately too broken right now.

You can reach many people by writing a good blog article, and posting it to interested communities like HN. Even anonymously, if you prefer.