kurt abbott bestulLast tended 2026-02-12
The architecture of 'as if': why the abstraction is the reality
A KABGemini project podcast
This podcast stems from this seed of discussion with Gemini 3 (February 12, 2026):
I've been thinking about the concept of "abstraction layers" as used in the world of Operating Systems, for example, and about its relation to the "analogies as symbols" notions that we've discussed featuring in the work of Anil Seth and his co-researchers. I think the abstraction layers concept also has a relationship to the thinking of Hofstadter. Do you think there is some merit to these linkages? And further do you see connections to the concept in other branches of research and/or philosophy? . . . Here is the other aspect of this that looks like it cuts across all these realms: the notion that the abstract symbol or layer can be said to have a "realness" or relevance every bit the equal of the material thing -- or stack of things -- that it is "abstracting". Please also comment on the merit of that, and/or to where any of these experts have addressed that?
We developed the podcast script via an extended dialog based on that seed.
54 minutes
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