Includes stuff about anything where feedback causes the system to adapt, including the systems of nature, those that are man-made or cultural, and those of the human mind.
As I’ve mentioned before, my adoptive father listened almost solely to country music, by preference the old-school “my pickup broke down, my wife left me, and my dog died” kind. And being a very selfish person, he had no problem with making the entire family listen to it during interminably long car trips, while he …
Continue reading ‘“News stories about stupid young people make old people feel good”’ »
Our friend Interrobang calls them “earworms” — those catchy little jingles that get stuck in your head and just won’t come loose no matter what. This site promises to kick it out… by replacing it with another one. Not exactly what you were hoping for, but hey, at least it’s a new tune. 🙂
What will they think of next? 😉 On a different subject, I picked up a nasty cold somewhere. It struck very suddenly yesterday evening and took me down for the count. I slept in discomfort for nearly twelve hours last night, and I’ll probably go right back to bed after having a bite to eat. …
Interesting book, and interesting interview with the author. He says that Darwin “was wrong in seeing human evolution as a result of the same processes that account for other evolution in the biological world”, then goes on to offer some pretty good evidence for how technology and the human brain set up a constant feedback …
Continue reading ‘“Artificial Ape Man: How Technology Created Humans”’ »
Talk about fighting dirty… 😉 Really though, this is a pretty shrewd move. Scent is a powerful anchor for memories. Anyone with a sense of smell who looks at this is going to be hard-pressed forget the association. Of course, it might backfire. Think “my esteemed opponent, when he’s not playing in garbage…” 🙂 I …
Continue reading ‘“Republican NY governor candidate sends out garbage-scented fliers”’ »
I don’t have much to add to this, I just thought people might find it useful. In addition to some fun neurobiology information, it offers some concrete steps to use the next time you start thinking that you’re having a “bad day.” (Hint: as I’m sure you suspected, it’s essentially all in your head, and …
Continue reading ‘“The Science Behind ‘Having a Bad Day’ (and How to Solve It)”’ »
I always wondered why some people doodled when they were listening or thinking. This may explain it.
I’ve mentioned the memory tricks that I use before, a couple times. Yesterday I had a rare chance to really put them to the test. I’d used those tricks to remember the combination to a lock that I’d put on our shed, maybe six or seven years ago. The lock was on there for less …
A useful skill. I didn’t realize that anyone had written a book about it. It’s available as a free PDF file too, there’s a download link in the “related links” section. I’ve picked it up, and I plan to read it when I have a chance. (Via BoingBoing)
So you mean that there’s even less reason to consider humans intelligent? 😉 (Actually, I’d argue that the human brain works somewhat the same way, the cells “deciding by committee” what path to pursue based on how strong its good and bad points are.) (Via BoingBoing)