Artificial neural networks help us capture not only what is explicit but also what is implicit. This is a huge, uncomfortable advance in the media to be able to mimic our unconscious thinking. As we invent these new forms of computer media to convey our thinking, it is helpful to think about thinking.

This session will ask questions about the characteristics of thought. For instance, do you think one thought at a time, how many thoughts did you have to pick from, do you decide to think a thought, how much can you be aware of, how often are you aware of your thoughts, are emotions thoughts, how do thoughts arise, how do they go away, are subsequent thoughts related by time or space? What illusions do we have about thinking and why? How tightly do our thoughts reflect objective reality? Does computer media do a good job of reflecting our thinking? How can you investigate and control thought through mediation, science, conversation, drugs, story, immersion? Why do we care? How would the world change if we made media that better conveyed our thoughts? Is the computer and ML getting us closer?