shankart

[shankart]

Memory and Entanglement: The Hidden Web of the Mind

Memory extends beyond a mental filing cabinet. It orchestrates our experiences into a dynamic web of connections. Neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and complex systems theory are evolving. They reveal a radical new perspective.

Abstract Memory extends beyond a mental filing cabinet. It orchestrates our experiences into a dynamic web of connections. Neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and complex systems theory are evolving. They reveal a radical new perspective. Memory isn’t just stored; it’s alive. It is interwoven with time, space, and our perceptions. This blog takes you on a journey through this groundbreaking idea,…

[shankart]

Atoms and Hourglasses

Time is our most elusive companion—forever in motion, yet never seen directly. From ancient days, we’ve chased it with sundials, water clocks, and the quietly mesmerizing hourglass. Today, we chase it still, using lasers and cesium atoms to create clocks so precise they barely lose a second in millions of years. An hourglass is simplicity itself: two bulbs, a slender waist, and fine sand that…

[shankart]

Trinity

Trinity - Psychology | Physics | Mathematics

Below is a speculative outline of a “triple theory”—psychological, physical, and mathematical—that builds from a point of deep reflection and works backward, reconstructing the conceptual scaffolding from an imagined “end of thought.” None of this is presented as established fact or proven theorem. Instead, it’s a sort of intellectual blueprint—an attempt to show how one might weave threads of…

[shankart]

Order and Chaos

The vessel brews with pressure over time, reluctant to give in or give out.

Order arises from rules, written and foretold. Implicitly or explicitly followed with reckless abandonment of diligent thought. Fortunately or otherwise, order is maintained by those in power. For themselves, disguised under the pretext of greater good – a delicate balancing act. Continue reading Order and Chaos

[shankart]

I Think Therefore I Am

Wrote this essay on consciousness as a child in 2005 when I thought too much about this problem. It is interesting to read this after decades. We are getting closer to understanding this interesting phenomenon, which enables understanding itself.

Wrote this essay on consciousness as a child in 2005 when I thought too much about this problem. It is interesting to read this after decades. We are getting closer to understanding this interesting phenomenon which enables understanding itself. But its only the beginning. If you are reading this then you are certainly gifted. Gifted, not just literally, but also in a fundamental way common to…

[shankart]

The Ultimate Question

An interesting subplot from Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” that sets the tone for this blog. Also, spoiler alert. Once upon a time, a race of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings sought to learn the answer to the ultimate question. The question that would solve the mysteries of the universe. The question that would explain life, god, and everything else as such. The…

[shankart]

The Purple Envelope

A short story. "Keith, we never love people for what they are. We love their impressions..."

Thanks to the encouragement from Saumya and the privilege to write something for her blog, here is my attempt at writing a short story from 2012. You can find her meticulous pieces of writing on this link. “Two cups of cappuccino, please. Make it quick.” “Would that be all, Sir?”, asked the waiter. Keith nodded. He had been waiting for an hour now. His eyes were tired and dreamy. They drifted…

[shankart]

About Everything

I once tried to narrate a story about everything. It was challenging. Where does one even start? And where does one even end?

It is really difficult to write about everything. The first problem is particularly peculiar. Where does one even start? The axiom of choice? There are many ways to write. But there are even more ways to write about everything. One could start writing bullets on everything. Describe it as a strategy consultant would; Try to stay mutually exclusive collectively exhaustive; But there are…

[shankart]

O-Metric: Simplifying ARC Complexity with Grid Analysis

The Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC) challenges AI to exhibit abstract reasoning and adaptability, testing pattern recognition, transformations, and generalization. The o-metric measures task complexity based on grid size, aiding strategy.

1. Introduction: The ARC Challenge The Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC), developed by François Chollet, represents a paradigm shift in artificial intelligence testing. Unlike traditional benchmarks that focus on specific tasks or domains, ARC challenges AI systems to demonstrate genuine abstract reasoning and adaptability—core components of human-like intelligence. ARC presents a series…

[shankart]

Measuring Intelligence

Unlike traditional AI tests, which often rely on vast amounts of data and specific tasks, ARC pushes AI to understand and apply abstract concepts, much like how a child learns through experience and intuition.

In 2019, the AI community was abuzz with excitement when François Chollet introduced a groundbreaking concept in his paper “On the Measure of Intelligence”​ (ar5iv)​​ (ar5iv)​. This work unveiled the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC), an innovative benchmark designed to test the general intelligence of AI systems. Think of ARC as an IQ test for AI—it challenges machines to solve problems in…

[shankart]

Unlearning to Learn

Experimentation is about deliberate invalidation, tearing down mental walls to uncover new understanding. Embrace discomfort, reframe failure, and cultivate the addiction to discovery for breakthroughs through strategic questioning and consistent wrongnes

We experiment not to prove ourselves right, but to prove ourselves gloriously wrong. This journey of unlearning reveals the true essence of knowledge. Experimentation isn’t about validation—it’s about deliberate invalidation. Paradox of Knowledge Imagine your brain as a fortress. Each belief is a brick, each assumption a buttress. Solid, impenetrable… and potentially blinding. Your mind: a…

[shankart]

In Retrospect

Forward looking thoughts about the arrow of time, ironically written in the past. Only in retrospect can you decide whether reading this article was worth the effort.

Forward looking thoughts about the arrow of time, ironically written in the past. Only in retrospect can you decide whether reading this article was worth your time. Majority of decisions we encounter in our lives can be reduced to optimization problems. But as frequently encountered in reality, the cost of setting up and solving an optimization problem exceeds the benefit from the solution…

[shankart]

Meaning

A: "Is there a word that really resonates with you?" T: "Psi. It feels like a gateway to endless mysteries." A: "'That's an interesting pick. Why 'Psi'?"

A: “Is there a word that really resonates with you?” T: “Psi. It feels like a gateway to endless mysteries.” A: “‘That’s an interesting pick. Why ‘Psi’?” T: “‘Psi’ weaves together several worlds for me that are deeply interesting. ‘Sci’ represents our exploration of the outer world—space, nature, and the universe’s laws. ‘Psy’ dives into our inner world, capturing our thoughts and emotions.…

[shankart]

Joy of Doing Nothing

Doing “nothing” is easier said than done. The idea of doing nothing after a while of doing everything is extremely appealing. But apparently, there is no joy in doing nothing and it gets boring fast.

“The sole cause of man’s unhappiness. Is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.” – Blaise Pascal I have been living through a terrible experiment for the past few months. And here is a summary of the results: Doing “nothing” is easier said than done. The idea of doing nothing after a while of doing everything is extremely appealing. But apparently, there is no joy in doing…

[shankart]

Eternal Echoes

The Timeless ImprintEvery meaningful connection leaves an indelible mark on our soul, a part of someone else that becomes permanently etched within us. This phenomenon is fascinating because while people evolve, the version of them in our memories remains unchanged. Contrast and ComparisonAs life progresses, we often find ourselves comparing these internalized memories with the current reality…

[shankart]

Boredom

Is taking action essential? Indeed, it is. For in its absence, life succumbs to the dreariness of boredom. Boredom, intriguingly, addresses a complex challenge in the equilibrium of our mental state. Yet, what counterbalances boredom itself? Is it feasible to craft a scale for gauging ‘boreability,’ or does it transcend the realm of quantifiable measures? Might we consciously discern the…

[shankart]

Introduction to Alice and Bob

Alice: "Bob, do you think that time travel can truly exist, or is it just a fanciful idea that we humans have created?" Bob: "It's a fascinating question, Alice. The idea of traveling through time has been a subject of both science and science fiction fo

Alice and Bob found themselves with some time on their hands and decided to take a walk on an infinitely long road. As they strolled along, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, they began to ponder the mysteries of the universe. They gazed up and down at the empty sky, wondering about their place in the vast voids of space, time, and will. At one moment, Alice turned to Bob and asked. Alice:…