Mathematical models of evolution demonstrate a near-zero probability that natural selection would shape sensory systems to perceive objective truth. Instead, our senses evolved merely to guide adaptive behavior, prioritizing actions that lead to survival and reproduction over generating an accurate depiction of the world.

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We see a minuscule fraction (0.0035%) of the electromagnetic spectrum, meaning our perception of physical reality is already an abstraction. When applied to complex human behaviors, objective "truth" becomes nearly impossible to discern, as it's filtered through cognitive shortcuts and biases.

Our perception of sensing then reacting is an illusion. The brain constantly predicts the next moment based on past experiences, preparing actions before sensory information fully arrives. This predictive process is far more efficient than constantly reacting to the world from scratch, meaning we act first, then sense.

The small size of the human genome is a puzzle. The solution may be that evolution doesn't store a large "pre-trained model." Instead, it uses the limited genomic space to encode a complex set of reward and loss functions, which is a far more compact way to guide a powerful learning algorithm.

Evolution by natural selection is not a theory of how consciousness arose from matter. Instead, it's a theory that explains *why our interface is the way it is*. Our perceptions were shaped by fitness payoffs to help us survive *within the simulation*, not to perceive truth outside of it. The theory is valid, but its domain is the interface.

The brain doesn't strive for objective, verbatim recall. Instead, it constantly updates and modifies memories, infusing them with emotional context and takeaways. This process isn't a bug; its purpose is to create useful models to guide future decisions and ensure survival.

With 10x more neurons going to the eye than from it, the brain actively predicts reality and uses sensory input primarily to correct errors. This explains phantom sensations, like feeling a stair that isn't there, where the brain's simulation briefly overrides sensory fact.

Vision, a product of 540 million years of evolution, is a highly complex process. However, because it's an innate, effortless ability for humans, we undervalue its difficulty compared to language, which requires conscious effort to learn. This bias impacts how we approach building AI systems.

We don't perceive reality directly; our brain constructs a predictive model, filling in gaps and warping sensory input to help us act. Augmented reality isn't a tech fad but an intuitive evolution of this biological process, superimposing new data onto our brain's existing "controlled model" of the world.

Cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman argues that spacetime and physical objects are a "headset" or VR game, like Grand Theft Auto. This interface evolved to help us survive by hiding overwhelming complexity, not to show us objective truth. Our scientific theories have only studied this interface, not reality itself.

The popular assumption that the brain is optimized solely for survival and reproduction is an overly simplistic narrative. In the modern world, the brain's functions are far more complex, and clinging to this outdated model can limit our understanding of its capabilities and our own behavior.

Evolutionary Game Theory Shows Senses Evolved for Survival, Not to Perceive Reality | RiffOn