models tested

The brain is not the computer we think it is.

The blueprint evolves based on our experience.

There may be inborn "tentative models" and they test reality and are confirmed if they work.

The brain reaches outwards, in other words.

Neural circuits are chosen (like antibodies) during interactions with the world (testing; science).

Immune system: a whole bunch of antibodies, pre-made and ready to be selected to fit "lock" of invaders.

Likewise, neural circuitry exists, ready to be selected (or abandoned)) if they match or don't match experience.

Antibodies are not "representations" of the virus.

Antibodies can be re-used in a future attack. So can neural connections, in a future, similar situation.

Simple examples: reach and grab, put into mouth, fell. Body and brain reach out with experiments like a scientist. Testing reality. Truth/results encoded in neural connections. Trial and error.

Memory is the capacity to repeat a physical or mental act later, in a different context.

Memory allows repetition (of a successful mental or physical event).

brain as scientist

The brain is a scientist. Religion was a crude but initially successful hypothesis. It has since been surpassed. Divide the consciousness problem into smaller problems.

Neural sense of time...very weird.

advantage

Consciousness of "reality" is hugely advantageous, and so it evolved.

development

We need to stop obsessing about the paradox of consciousness and look at the development of the brain. Memory is clearly a function of the developing brain. Memory in fact IS the brain developing. Consciousness will be explained via unconsciousness (sleep: when there is no self and no time).