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So, a scientist tried to replicate an experiment and failed, then kept trying until he succeeded by changing one factor of the experiment - the stimulus. To Fi

So, a scientist tried to replicate an experiment and failed, then kept trying until he succeeded by changing one factor of the experiment - the stimulus. To Fix the Reproducibility Crisis, Rethink How We Do Experiments https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/to-fix-the-reproducibility-crisis-rethink-how-we-do-experiments/ https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/to-fix-the...

dharmab 6y ago
“So an inventor tried to make a lightbulb and failed, then kept trying until he succeeded by changing one factor - the filament.” The paper also includes dozens of trials replicating the results across organisms.
- wombatmobile 6y ago
  Well, I think it is an important result. If single celled organisms make decisions, what does that tell us about volition? Evidence of volition and decision making in this form simplifies the challenge of understanding "consciousness".
  - JumpCrisscross 6y ago
    > If single celled organisms make decisions, what does that tell us about volition? Not much. The organism is expressing a preference for staying alive. That is a default preference for life. The question of volition only emerges with higher preferences or ones at odds with survival.
  - visarga 6y ago
    > If single celled organisms make decisions, what does that tell us about volition? The cell is a mechanism tested and refined by evolution. It's purpose is to sustain itself, adapt to the environmental aggressions and self replicate. Its volition is the best strategy nature could find to keep it alive.
    - wombatmobile 6y ago
      Yeah, I'm wondering if or why we should consider volition in multi-cellular organisms any differently? Are not single celled organisms as "conscious" as multi-celled organisms? Or, alternatively, are multi-celled organisms not as non-"conscious" as single celled organisms?
      - visarga 6y ago
        Even if a cell is so different in complexity to an organism, they both solve the same problem - what action should I take now, given the state of the environment and previous experience.
        wombatmobile 6y ago
        What is your understanding of the term "consciousness"? What organism/s experience it?

dharmab 6y ago

“So an inventor tried to make a lightbulb and failed, then kept trying until he succeeded by changing one factor - the filament.” The paper also includes dozens of trials replicating the results across organisms.

wombatmobile 6y ago
Well, I think it is an important result. If single celled organisms make decisions, what does that tell us about volition? Evidence of volition and decision making in this form simplifies the challenge of understanding "consciousness".
- JumpCrisscross 6y ago
  > If single celled organisms make decisions, what does that tell us about volition? Not much. The organism is expressing a preference for staying alive. That is a default preference for life. The question of volition only emerges with higher preferences or ones at odds with survival.
- visarga 6y ago
  > If single celled organisms make decisions, what does that tell us about volition? The cell is a mechanism tested and refined by evolution. It's purpose is to sustain itself, adapt to the environmental aggressions and self replicate. Its volition is the best strategy nature could find to keep it alive.
  - wombatmobile 6y ago
    Yeah, I'm wondering if or why we should consider volition in multi-cellular organisms any differently? Are not single celled organisms as "conscious" as multi-celled organisms? Or, alternatively, are multi-celled organisms not as non-"conscious" as single celled organisms?
    - visarga 6y ago
      Even if a cell is so different in complexity to an organism, they both solve the same problem - what action should I take now, given the state of the environment and previous experience.
      - wombatmobile 6y ago
        What is your understanding of the term "consciousness"? What organism/s experience it?