Major and minor scales of consciousness (with Andrés Gomez Emilsson)
Andres Gomez-Emilson discusses his theory that pleasure and pain follow logarithmic scales and are tied to the structural symmetry and harmony of neural activity. He explains how this "Symmetry Theory of Valence" could allow for objective quantification of consciousness intensity, revolutionizing effective altruism's approach to suffering reduction.
Deep Dive Analysis
17 Topic Outline
Introduction to Logarithmic Scales of Pleasure and Pain
Log-Normal Distribution of Valence Intensity
Arguments for Logarithmic Pain Scales
Distinguishing Subjective Rating vs. Input-Output Relationship
Quantifying Consciousness with Connectome Specific Harmonic Waves
Connectome, Brain Harmonics, and Energy Measurement
Psychedelics, Anesthetics, and Brain Energy States
Accuracy and Predictive Power of Harmonic Analysis
Symmetry Theory of Homeostatic Regulation and Valence
Symmetry, Dissonance, and Energy in Biological Systems
Computational Usefulness of Unsettled Mental States
Duality of Temporal and Spatial Symmetry
Musical Consonance/Dissonance and Nervous Systems
Boredom as a Type of Dissonance
Fibromyalgia and Explosive Synchronization
Quantifying Valence and Effective Altruism Implications
Addressing Skepticism and Evidence for Symmetry-Pleasure Link
7 Key Concepts
Logarithmic Scales of Pleasure and Pain
This concept suggests that the intensity of pleasure and pain does not increase linearly but rather exponentially or multiplicatively. This means that extreme states of consciousness can be orders of magnitude more intense than mild ones, significantly impacting utilitarian calculations for suffering reduction.
Log-Normal Distribution
A statistical distribution characterized by a 'fat tail' on one side, making it prone to huge outliers. This distribution is proposed to describe the intensity of valence (pleasure and pain), implying that extremely intense experiences are possible and vastly different from average states.
Criticality in Neural Activity
A phenomenon in neural networks where small events can cascade or avalanche into very large events, following a log-normal distribution. This suggests that even within moments of intense suffering, there are huge, irregular spikes of neuronal activity.
Connectome Specific Harmonic Waves
A neuroscience paradigm that identifies the resonant modes (harmonics) of the brain's connectome, which includes neural connections and the cortex. By analyzing neuroimaging data, this method infers the weighted sum of these harmonic modes to estimate the total energy in a state of consciousness, which correlates with subjective intensity.
Symmetry Theory of Homeostatic Regulation
This theory posits that the valence (whether a state feels good or bad) of consciousness depends on its structural properties, specifically its symmetry. Symmetrical, low-energy configurations are associated with pleasantness, while deviations from symmetry (dissonance) are linked to unpleasantness and serve as a rapid diagnostic for problems in the biological system.
Neural Dissonance
Analogous to musical dissonance, this refers to the interference or misalignment between different harmonic modes in the brain. High neural dissonance is hypothesized to correspond to unpleasant or painful states, while consonance (harmony) among these modes is associated with pleasant states.
Enhanced Repertoire
A general finding from connectome specific harmonic wave analysis, particularly observed with psychedelics, where entirely new combinations and correlations of brain harmonics become possible. This indicates a broader range of accessible brain states compared to normal consciousness.
9 Questions Answered
It's the idea that the intensity of pleasure and pain increases exponentially, not linearly, meaning extreme states can be orders of magnitude more intense than mild ones, which has significant implications for how we prioritize reducing suffering.
Evidence includes the log-normal distribution of neural activity cascades (criticality), explicitly logarithmic pain scales developed by experts (e.g., Keep Scale for cluster headaches, Schmidt Sting Pain Index), and the exponential relationship between physical stimuli (like Scoville units) and reported pain intensity.
One promising paradigm is connectome specific harmonic waves, which models the brain's resonant modes (harmonics) based on neuroimaging data to estimate the total energy in a state of consciousness, correlating with subjective intensity.
Connectome specific harmonic wave analysis shows that psychedelics (like LSD, DMT) increase the total energy in consciousness, especially in high frequencies, while anesthetics (like propofol) radically decrease high-frequency energy, aligning with subjective reports of intensity.
This theory proposes that the valence (good or bad feeling) of a conscious state is determined by its structural properties, specifically its symmetry. Symmetrical, low-energy configurations are associated with pleasantness, while deviations from symmetry (dissonance) are linked to unpleasantness and serve as a rapid diagnostic for system problems.
The theory suggests that pleasant brain states are characterized by a repertoire of harmonics with low average pairwise dissonance (like a major key), while unpleasant states are associated with higher dissonance (like a minor key), influencing the overall hedonic quality of experience.
While not perfectly symmetrical or low-energy, being slightly 'unsettled' or confused (e.g., when solving a physics problem) can drive the brain to perform useful computational work to return to a more settled, symmetrical state.
Fibromyalgia is theorized to involve 'explosive synchronization' in the peripheral nervous system, creating strong, dissonant signals that clash with the brain's native harmonics, leading to extremely painful, misaligned, high-energy interactions.
If valence can be objectively quantified across species, it could allow for a new way of prioritizing suffering reduction by identifying and targeting the most intense negative states, potentially eliminating a large percentage of total suffering.
7 Actionable Insights
1. Prioritize Extreme Suffering Reduction
Focus efforts on preventing or treating the most intense negative states of consciousness (the “1% of negative states”) because they account for a disproportionately large amount of total suffering, potentially eliminating 90% of suffering.
2. Support Valence Quantification Research
For effective altruism, support research into objectively quantifying valence across species (e.g., via connectome-specific harmonic waves) to identify and prioritize the most intense states of suffering for effective intervention.
3. Cultivate Symmetrical States for Well-being
Engage in practices like meditation to achieve tranquil, symmetrical, and low-energy states of consciousness, as these harmonious configurations are fundamentally associated with pleasant experiences.
4. Enhance Well-being via Heart Coherence
Practice techniques that promote heart coherence—the harmonious synchronization of biorhythms like heart rate and breathing—as it is linked to extremely pleasant states and can reduce anxiety.
5. Embrace Productive Discomfort
When engaging in complex problem-solving or learning, accept being “slightly off” a perfectly settled, symmetrical state, as this unsettledness is necessary for computationally useful work and understanding.
6. Address Boredom with Stimulation or Meditation
Recognize boredom as an unpleasant form of neuronal dissonance and alleviate it through appropriate stimulation or by engaging in meditative practices to restore harmony.
7. Seek Firsthand Experience of Intensity
To grasp the concept of logarithmic scales of pleasure and pain, engage in firsthand experiences that demonstrate varying intensities of sensory input, such as trying different levels of hot sauces.
9 Key Quotes
Not only do I accept it, I embrace it fully.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
If you plot basically events of activity, you will find that it essentially follows a log normal distribution.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
The difference between a one and a four in the Schmidt sting index is a difference of a thousand in the intensity of the pain.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
Pure, intense, brilliant pain, like walking over flaming charcoal with a three inch nail embedded in your heel.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
Pleasure is being recruited in order to instantiate a reinforcement learning algorithm.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
Whenever there is symmetry breaking operations that happen to a particular system, you will essentially see that very clearly as dissonance in the harmonics that arise.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
Being confused is a very unpleasant state of consciousness. And that trying to understand something requires a lot of confusion.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
Boredom, we think of it as an unpleasant experience that is different from the stimuli to which you're bored.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson
Most of the suffering is concentrated in those very, very unfortunate, super intense states of consciousness.
Andres Gomez-Emilsson