Top Mysteries of the Mind: Insights From the Default Space Model of Consciousness

Abstract

Aside from the nature of consciousness itself, there are still many unsolved problems in the neurosciences. Despite the vast and quickly growing body of work in this field, we still find ourselves perplexed at seemingly simple qualities of our mental being such as why we need to sleep. The neurosciences are at least beginning to take a hold on these mysteries and are working toward solving them. We hold a perspective that metastable consciousness models, specifically the Default Space Model (DSM), provide insights into these mysteries. In this perspective article, we explore some of these curious questions in order to elucidate the interesting points they bring up. The DSM is a dynamic, global theory of consciousness that involves the maintenance of an internal, 3D simulation of the external, physical world which is the foundation and structure of consciousness. This space is created and filled by multiple frequencies of membrane potential oscillations throughout the brain and body which are organized, synchronized and harmonized by the thalamus. The veracity of the DSM is highlighted here in its ability to further understanding of some of the most puzzling problems in neuroscience.

Emerging Phenomenological and Biological Principles of Consciousness: Top Insights of Prevailing Models, Concepts, and Observations

“…Optical illusions provide a first-person account of the true nature of consciousness, that we do not directly perceive actual reality, however, we perceive a subjective version of it. According to several models and researchers, the phenomenal reality we experience is a virtual one and may be functionally understood to emerge from or be identical to a simulation or model of the external, objective reality [2] [11] [23] [24]. This includes modeling of the self [25] [26].…”

“…All rights reserved. Previously published in [11]. Permission provided by Creative Commons License).…”

“…The DST asserts a much stronger role of the thalamus compared to other metastable models, with some metastable models asserting that consciousness can occur anywhere throughout the cortex with disregard to the thalamus [1] [32]. As discussed previously, the DST asserts that the unified bioelectric architecture which is the foundation of consciousness is organized, synchronized, and harmonized by the thalamus, [11], and that it "fills" in perceptual qualia generated across specialized cortical sites into the 3D virtual matrix [8] whose isomorphic counterpart is found across the brain and possibly body [13]. The DST explains how the thalamus, in a sense, "views" the entire bioelectric structure surrounding it which is supported by that fact that it represents a core, convergent, miniaturized map of the cortex and sensory organs [72].…”

“…The DST [11] [13], Operational Architectonics Theory (OAT) [32], and others [99]. Metastable brain states are like winner-less competitions, each unique state being outside of natural equilibrium but only dominating global activity for a period of time (quasi-equilibrium) [100].…”

“…We have discussed how our experience of reality is truly an "informed hallucination", a virtual simulation generated within. Furthermore, this experience is likely dominated by perceptions and predictions largely formulated within the brain [11]. Of the vast amount of sensory stimuli bombarding our many sensory organs at any given moment, an estimated 99% of the data is discarded [123].…”