The Thoughtful Universe

Continuing with the theme of 'You Don't Need a Meaning of Life to Have a Meaningful Life', consider the following:

Assertion:  The Universe is thinking.

Proof:

• The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of existence.
• Within the Universe you will find at least one structure known as the human brain.
• In 1644 Rene Descartes used his brain to formulate the now famous cogito ergo sum ("I am thinking, therefore I exist") statement.
• Descartes was a part of the Universe. Ergo, the Universe has had at least 1 thought.

This observation lays the foundation for the following 'Universal' stream of thought; pun intended:

• The process of thinking emerges from the brain's neural activity.
• Neuroscientists are working towards quantifying the actual neural activation patterns that represent thought(s). The synaptic speed limit will probably be found to be at around 2 milliseconds.
  
  
   


• Once that pattern/signature has been identified, we will be able to look at other phenomena in the Universe to determine if they also represent a 'thinking pattern'.
• Candidate phenomenon include (and contrary to popular notions that the brain is 'the most complex object in the Universe'): 




• Quantum particle dynamics  on on the uber-fast end of the speed scale; bound by the speed of light: 
  
  
  (source: Visualizations of Quantum Chromodynamics)
  
   In 'empty' space no less!  Let's see the purported  'most complex object in the Universe' do that!:
  
  

And the evolution of galaxies on the slower-end:

 

The Universe may turn out to be full of thought; very thoughtful indeed.

Related:

• Synapses, neural connections, stars, and atoms in the universe 
• TED Video: Suzana Herculano-Houzel: What is so special about the human brain?
• TED: Alex Wissner-Gross: A New Equation for Intelligence

Update: 

• New hypothesis argues the universe simulates itself into existence

• Past Brain Activation Revealed in Scans: Brain Activity Patterns Preserve Traces of Previous Cognitive Activity
• Problem-Solving Governs How We Process Sensory Stimuli
• Big Brains Are All in the Genes
• A Neuroscientist’s Radical Theory of How Networks Become Conscious
• Consciousness occurs in 'time slices' lasting only milliseconds, study suggests
• Brain study suggests neural networks related to mathematics are different from those used for language
• New tool offers unprecedented insight into brain electrical activity
• Scientists Find the Brain's Missing 'pipes'
• Sebastian Seung: I am my connectome
• What is so special about the human brain?