Correlithm Object Technology
by P. Nick Lawrence
Category: Psychology

How does the brain work? Although much has been written on this subject, major questions remain. Most of the available literature describes either the electrochemical behavior of neurons or the psychological behavior of the mind. Much is known at both extremes, but how are they connected? How do neurons actually represent, manipulate, and store data? How does electrochemical behavior become psychological behavior? In this book, the author develops a practical computing paradigm that is based on a new information systems theory of the brain. The pulse rates from a group of N neurons form a time-varying point in a unit N-cube. Such points, or correlithm objects, tend strongly to be about the same distance apart, making them useful as robust data tokens. Mappings among these tokens lead to general-purpose computational resources. Behaviors emerge from systems built with these principles that are much more like those found in living creatures than conventional computers. The book is written for a wide audience. The non-technical reader will find enlightening overviews, yet there is enough detail in the chapters to actually build working systems. Correlithm object technology has vast implications. We believe this is, in fact, how the brain works. Systems built with this technology will certainly excel at any task where living creatures-including humans-do better than today's computers. Almost every aspect of our world must now be re-examined in light of correlithm object technology, because it redefines what machines can and cannot do well, and it promises a flood of new ideas, new inventions, new applications, new commercial opportunities, and new directions. Correlithm object technology isthe most "disruptive technology" of our time, and is destined to cause revolutionary and far-reaching changes.