Brain as a Surprise Detector

There is a notion that the brain is a "prediction machine", but I think it may be better considered a "surprise detector", which is subtly different -- prediction involves an entire distribution, while surprise is an evaluation of a concrete instance.

A screenshot of a tweet by John Carmack discussing whether the brain is better understood as a prediction machine or a surprise detector. The joke is the overly precise, philosophical distinction presented in a casual social-media format, making it useful as a reaction to pedantic technical explanations. EN: A screenshot of a tweet by John Carmack discussing whether the brain is better understood as a prediction machine or a surprise detector. The joke is the overly precise, philosophical distinction presented in a casual social-media format, making it useful as a reaction to pedantic technical explanations.

• @ithueti / 3580 2021-01-22