In 1992, Thaler shocked the world with bizarre experiments in which the neurons within artificial neural networks were randomly destroyed. Guess what? The nets first relived all of their experiences (i.e., life review) and then, within advanced stages of destruction, generated novel experience. With this very compelling model of near-death experience (NDE) hopes for a supernatural or mystical explanation of this much celebrated phenomena were forever dashed.
Dr. Stephen Thaler, President & CEO, Imagination Engines, Incorporated
So that's why my life flashed before my eyes...
... well, at least maybe partially why your life flashed before your eyes. You ever have a NDE, escoles? I haven’t. In fact, I have no firsthand opinion one way or another about any possible spiritual implications. But, in my view, the claim, “With this very compelling model of near-death experience (NDE) hopes for a supernatural or mystical explanation of this much celebrated phenomena were forever dashed,“ is a bit premature. Did the networks see loved ones along a tunnel of light or any more of many reported specific happenings from those humans who have had NDE experiences? Maybe they did, but I haven’t researched that information at this point.
I have no doubt that when a human being experiences anything, there is going to be a physical component. But attempting to recreate and explain the physical aspects of an experience does not automatically ‘dash’ any possibility of a spiritual reason for a human experience, well, unless one has a materialistic worldview and discounts some other options. Others, however, might not negate a possibility that the physical tools could be there for a spiritual reason. Just sayin’.