Mind Over Matter?

[Angrboda]

I think of consciousness as a kind of "fly-by-wire" system for the body. In an airplane, the pilot moves the stick left, and the plane banks left. In reality though, computers are calculating out precise movements of control surfaces in order to bank the plane. Consciousness is somewhat similar. We have a simple representation of us as physical beings, 'seeing' a world, and consciousness coordinates simple commands of this physical being. When we choose to walk forward, it's a simple choice; we know we can (thanks to the model) and so we just do. In reality, the subconscious parts of the brain are figuring out complex symphonies of muscle flexing in our legs to accomplish the command. So consciousness is something of a simulation "of us" (our physical existence).

I think the real bender came when we added language resources to the repertoire of this system.