Times like this I start thinking about how nice it would be for you to have a full HTM neuron in a dish type visual of all that working.
The forum sees interest in using HTM for genetic applications, so I’m not alone in most wanting that sort of thing someday included. The ultimate would probably be a database connected model that molecular biologist would all want to code the behavior of their discoveries into. But don’t overly mind my sometimes thinking way ahead. Years from now after what is still a mystery has been explained there is at least that left to work on, to help keep the forum active working on something, never know.
RNA also just happens to be one of main origin of life interests, connecting through multiple sciences then finally to neuroscience. Whenever it seemed to me that HTM theory alone was not enough to support TBT there was my faith in that, to see me through. Although in my approach you have to endure my need to connect TBT to as much biological accuracy as possible, like metabolics and especially make sure to explain where any antennae are. Our from different approaches arriving at the same conclusion is better than one alone.
It’s excellent that we are fully on the same page, my view exactly. It’s why I indicated something that the cell has, influencing behavior column level behavior. Problem is in finding a fast easy way to model how all this going on inside the cell, to people who think we’re both nuts to think that way. What ever happened to the old school few rows of circles with lines to all others where magic Weight formula does all the rest?
This is exactly the point where you connect to cell chemistry then are next into RNA behavior anyway. To help I will include text I compiled from what I wrote for Reddit. It covers current planetary chemistry origin of life theory on up to our brain level, neuroscience. The vital RNA World OOL molecules are narrowed down to small number in this summary:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05098-w
Where you start here DNA becomes a came after thing that happens on its own by having RNA behavior right, not something coded in. This means there is a way to skip all the DNA related complications, for those looking to apply HTM to origins related genetics of some kind. Once you let them know about that, HTM is already into the most exciting RNA science around. In this case it’s real easy to get to the very starting point, where all begins. This is what I have so far to go with it:
As opposed to being like an alive on its own substance DNA is an inert material with properties of a crystal, RNA molecules use to “etch in stone” for future generations. Folding and unfolding packages it up for replication. Exact pattern reflects path taken through geologic time, what its RNA creators learned, instead of (as with snowflakes) exact path through atmosphere.
You may have earlier seen this that shows I had no problem finding all of the (things to look for) requirements for intelligence in self-replicating RNA:
Clues to the origin of intelligent living things are found in rudimentary molecular systems such as self-replicating RNA. Since these are single macromolecules that can self-learn they are more precisely examples of “Unimolecular Level Intelligence”, as opposed to “Molecular Level Intelligence”, which may contain millions of molecules all working together as one.
REQUIREMENT #1 of 4 - SOMETHING TO CONTROL
The ribonucleotide sequences are a memory system that also acts as its body. The motor muscles of RNA are molecular actuators, which use the force of molecular attraction to grab and release other molecules. The catalytic ability (chemically reacts with other molecules without itself changing to a new molecular species) of ribonucleotide (A,G,C,U) bases combine to form useful molecular machinery. Where these bases are properly combined into strands they become a mobile molecule that can control/catalyze other molecules in their environment and each other, including using each other as a template to induce each others replication. Unlike RNA that exists inside a protective cell membrane (as our cells have) these RNA’s are more directly influenced by the planetary environment, which they would have once have been free to control. Modern examples include single strand (ssRNA) viruses that can control the internal environment of their host and may now have protective shells with sensors on the outside for detecting other suitable host cells to enter and control, for the purpose of reproduction. In some cases after invading a host cell other sensors can detect when conditions are right to simultaneously reproduce, thereby overwhelming the immune system of their hosts, which could otherwise detect then destroy them.
REQUIREMENT #2 of 4 – SENSORY ADDRESSED MEMORY
On it are molecular sites, which can interact with nearby molecules to produce repeatable movements/actions. Its shape can include hairpin bends that are sensitive to the chemical environment, which in turn changes its action responses to nearby molecules and to each other.
A variety of properly ordered molecular species can easily be produced by wind/water motion or wet/dry cycles, resulting in quadrillions of different combinations all being tried in all the environments where the stuff of life in great quantities constantly accumulates, such as deep basins and via “skimming” onto ocean shorelines. Their combined activity also changes their molecular environment, much the same way as living things have over time changed the atmosphere and chemistry of our planet.
REQUIREMENT #3 of 4 - CONFIDENCE TO GAUGE FAILURE AND SUCCESS
Molecular species that can successfully coexist with others in the population and the environmental changes that they caused are successful responses that remain in the population. Molecular species that fail are soon replaced by another more successful (best guess) response. The overall process must result in collective actions/reactions that efficiently use and recycle the resources available to multiple molecular species or else there is an unsustainable chemical reaction, which ends when the reactants have consumed each other, resulting in an environmental crash.
REQUIREMENT #4 of 4 - ABILITY TO TAKE A GUESS
For a rapidly replicating molecule RNA editing type mechanisms can become a significant source of guesses. Also, molecular affinity will favor assimilation of complimentary ribonucleotides but where some are in limited abundance another ribonucleotide may replace what was previously used. The change may work equally well, or better, for their descendants.
Doing the same for DNA results in describing what the RNA and support molecules cause to happen in a fur ball that on its own does nothing. DNA is then more precisely a long term memory system that to RNA’s would be analogous to a library or internet, a transcribable storage for what has been learned through time by ancestors except for RNA is billions of years older and can be directly transcribed into unique RNA individuals that serve a vital specialized purpose in the complex molecular society of a living cell.
Behaviorally speaking there is a fractal unfolding that begins with RNA behavior. There is then a cell that has antennae and such like multicellular animals do. Unlike DNA alone it’s easy for the system to meet all circuit requirements. After that is unfolding the same to multicellular behavior level.
After replication DNA genome 3D cross linking and chromosome territory intermingling returns back to the same places. For the most part RNA controls the self-assembly and self-disassembly of the crystal lattice structure. Surrounding membranes that self-assemble around the DNA nucleus further help hold its shape.
In this reply I showed what to expect of a DNA alone (by tangling like I did or more controlled) cross linking it would when wet be strong enough to stay together on its own, not bowl of overcooked spaghetti that falls apart upon contact with water.
After chemical extraction from the rest of the cell DNA is most like a crystalline skeletal remain. In it are the imprints of RNA behavior that uses it to sustain a living system through time.