Notes:
So let’s now return to the second model.
It might be interesting to see how penrose came to proposing this model.
He proposes first that mathematical thinking at times is non computable. He has been attacked vigorously for this position.
But I don’t think it is crucial for his model it is just crucial for the way he arrived at it.
He then of course realizes that there is one non computable process in physics namely the reduction iof the statevector. So he suggests that the collpase of the statevector corresponds to a conscious moment.
Before such a collpase occurs there is a gradual buitding up of the statevector involving more and more particles until they self-collapse due tio the objective threshold of quantum gravity.
So in between these collpases we have a superposition and if this a pure enough state one can use this for quantum computation. So Penrose’s model is using the ‘newest development in technology’. Just like older models did. Fernando presented the first day a kinnd of watering system as the first model of cognitive functioning. That was at that time the most advanced technology.
The latter propositon has been under even heavier attack by main stream physicists. Pure quantum states which can be used for quantum computation are difficult to maintain. The current quantum computers work very close to absolute zero temperature and lots of measures are taken to minimize interactions with the environment.
However Penrose was helped by hameroff who claimed that specific brain structures have been evolved that screen off these disturbances. He proposed microtubulin a structure that resembeles hollow pipes.