[MD] I Am a Strange Loop

[Platt Holden]

Hi All,

I see in this morning's news that Douglas Hofstadter, author of "Godel, 
Escher, Bach" has a new book out whose title is the same as the subject of 
this post. From the review I read, the new book pulls out the big themes 
of GEB and develops them into a more focused picture of consciousness. Of 
most interest to me, Hofstadter goes straight to the question I have posed 
a number of times here, namely, "Who is the I that knows me?" Further, 
Hofstadter confirms Pirsig's view that intellect (the highest form of 
consciousness) is a symbol system with "the power to represent itself." 
Finally, like me and others, Hofstadter attributes consciousness to lower 
organisms such as flies, and suggests such "soulness" might be measured by 
units he calls "hun-e-kers." 

So this is a book I'll add to my must read list. I'm sure others here will 
do likewise.

Best,
Platt