In the late 1970’s, linguistics researchers began to realize something interesting about our day-to-day conversation: we tend to use metaphors far more frequently than anyone had recognized. The reason it took so long to notice is that most of the metaphors we use are deeply engrained in our thinking. So deeply, in fact, that they’re almost unrecognizable for what […]
“By ‘augmenting human intellect’ we mean increasing the capability of a [ person ] to approach a complex problem situation, to gain comprehension to suit his particular needs, and to derive solutions to problems. Increased capability in this respect is taken to mean a mixture of the following: more-rapid comprehension, better comprehension, the possibility of gaining a useful […]
Here’s a word problem for you to try:
Mary buys a stapler for $12, and also a notebook. She pays $17 altogether. Paul buys a notebook and also a ruler. He pays $8 less than Mary did. How much does the ruler cost?
Try to do it […]
Cognitive science researchers generally agree that we have two separate but interoperating cognitive systems. System 1 (commonly known as intuition) automatically recognizes situations when they occur and recalls relevant information from long term memory. System 2 (also known as reason or rationality) is the mechanism we associate with the conscious […]
Survival is really hard. You’re always busy either trying to find something to eat or to avoid being eaten. Because of this, many organisms have evolved strategies for modifying their physical environments to improve their chances of success. Beavers build dams. Birds build nests. The fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infects the ant Camponotus leonardi and highjacks […]
Perhaps coming up with a theory of information and its processing is a bit like building a transcontinental railway. You can start in the east, trying to understand how agents can process anything, and head west. Or you can start in the west, with trying to understand what information is, and then head […]