Overview
This project implements a simplified model of consciousness based on Global Workspace Theory using Racket's powerful metaprogramming features. It explores how information broadcasting and competition for attention might emerge from simple computational primitives.
Core Concept
The system implements a "global workspace" where different modules can broadcast information, and attention is allocated through competitive selection:
(define (broadcast workspace message)
(send workspace publish message))
(define (attend-to workspace callback)
(send workspace subscribe callback))
;; Example usage
(broadcast global-workspace
(make-message 'sensory "red object detected"))
(attend-to global-workspace
(lambda (msg)
(when (eq? (message-type msg) 'sensory)
(process-sensory msg))))Key Insights
- Consciousness as emergent information sharing
- Attention as resource allocation
- The role of inhibition in conscious processing