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>But sometimes it is stupid to remain a skeptic even if the two aren't the same. Nice. There are many, many things that could be going on in these processes i
by simonh 4y ago
>But sometimes it is stupid to remain a skeptic even if the two aren't the same.
Nice.
There are many, many things that could be going on in these processes in the brain. The range of possible mechanisms and effects is huge, and this result gives us just a tiny bit of information, but nowhere nearly enough to determine which possibilities are more or less likely. Some journalist picked one possibility to promote because it's click-baitey, ok fine. It got me to read the article and it's interesting research so we're all good.
But they've not demonstrated any quantum computational behaviour, and there are many, many other things that could be going on here that are nothing to do with quantum computation. I don't see how merely pointing out that fact is 'stupid'.
Skepticism is essential to the functioning of the scientific method, it's what differentiates science from credulous and magical thinking. Yes it's a brake on selecting the best answer or result, but it's a much stronger brake on selecting incorrect answers or results and that's where it provides it's value. It's quite right and proper to put off accepting what is ultimately demonstrated to be the right answer as proven until there is no other choice.