Dan

... I wonder if noetic & autonoetic C (as defined by Tulving 1985) are the product of reentrant function, which requires a level of complex structure to manifest, but is nevertheless independent of substrate - and maybe biological metabolism.

That may be the case if we're talking about self-reflective meta-C. However, in terms of phenomenal C - subjective inner experience (pure awareness), I feel that argument is less strong (and harder to test for). I tend towards considering what we describe as C as a continuum; in that case... ++

Interesting. I'm currently in the application process for a PhD with a proposal to research precisely this. If we assume an idealist ontology ('matter is/from mind'), I'm yet to be convinced the potential for non-biological systems to have subjective experience could be ruled out _in principle_.

At the very least, increased links & close cooperation with our Canadian cousins would be very welcome, in my opinion. Very glad to see them represented at the London European security summit today.

Ukraine war: Can Europe deter Russia without US military? Donald Trump will not get involved in security guarantees for Ukraine, but can Europe fill the gap?

Europe alone has many gaps in capability. UK (Europe's most powerful military, together with France & Germany) has the will, but not yet the way. Decades of cuts & underinvestment have taken toll on military; entire regular British army could now fit into a football stadium (72,000ish).

There’s a capability gap in European militaries that’ll take yrs to resolve. UK now increasing spending, but nowhere near enough (yet). Starmer pledged extra £2.5 billion to fund Ukraine in last hour; hopefully EU will follow with package in coming days. But without US support it’ll be a long haul.

Starmer to Zelenskyy: You are very very welcome here in Downing Street. As you heard from the cheers outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom.

👇

Thanks for the reminder about that series, I've yet to see it. So this footage hasn't ever been published elsewhere? Interesting! 👍