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Consider a computer with a cpu and gpu. The CPU is a general purpose computer. It can do literally anything. Including software rendering. But the GPU is purpos

by im3w1l 7mo ago

Consider a computer with a cpu and gpu. The CPU is a general purpose computer. It can do literally anything. Including software rendering. But the GPU is purpose designed for graphics so it will be much more efficient at the job. These days the GPU is also a general purpose computer so it could in theory do anythign the CPU does too, but for many things again it will be less efficient. It's the same with emotional intelligence. The brain has dedicated circuitry for understanding other people. You can reason it through abstractly but it will be less efficient. You can also solve problems about natural science with the emotional reasoning part of the brain. Ever heard the expression "the atom wants a full shell of electrons"? That's empathy.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 7mo ago
No, it is more like software. You either grow up around others, socialise and train your intuition or you don't. To believe there is special circuitry really goes deep into the pseudoscience territory. Emotions are just another abstract concept.
- hgoel 7mo ago
  You're the only person here invoking "special circuitry". All intelligence is a mix of both learned and biological factors. Plus one of the big ways we evaluate the intelligence of other species is trying to see if they have theory of mind, which is intrinsically linked to social intelligence. Edit: Ah, the person you replied to also invoked special circuitry.
- im3w1l 6mo ago
  You are correct that training is necessary, but that isn't the knockout blow you think it is. It goes for many of the specialized tasks (e.g. visual processing, auditory processing, motor skills, spatial awareness) done in the brain. You are born with the potential for these things but they have to be used or they will wilt. As for where in the brain it happens it does seem to be a little spread out, but the superior temporal sulcus has an important role. An interesting semi-related story is that taxi drivers in London take a very hard test called The Knowledge requiring them to memorize a huge amount of city layout. Studying for this produces measurable changes in the brain, leading to an enlarged posterior hippocampus. That it consistently leads to changes of the same type across many individuals clearly indicates that the brain is allocating resources to the relevant circuitry when this learning takes place. There are many other ways to learn about the brains specialized processing such as looking what happens when various parts of the brain get damaged, or by putting people in scanners when they perform certain tasks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_temporal_sulcus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_temporal_sulcus

by im3w1l 7mo ago

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 7mo ago

No, it is more like software. You either grow up around others, socialise and train your intuition or you don't. To believe there is special circuitry really goes deep into the pseudoscience territory. Emotions are just another abstract concept.

hgoel 7mo ago
You're the only person here invoking "special circuitry". All intelligence is a mix of both learned and biological factors. Plus one of the big ways we evaluate the intelligence of other species is trying to see if they have theory of mind, which is intrinsically linked to social intelligence. Edit: Ah, the person you replied to also invoked special circuitry.
im3w1l 6mo ago
You are correct that training is necessary, but that isn't the knockout blow you think it is. It goes for many of the specialized tasks (e.g. visual processing, auditory processing, motor skills, spatial awareness) done in the brain. You are born with the potential for these things but they have to be used or they will wilt. As for where in the brain it happens it does seem to be a little spread out, but the superior temporal sulcus has an important role. An interesting semi-related story is that taxi drivers in London take a very hard test called The Knowledge requiring them to memorize a huge amount of city layout. Studying for this produces measurable changes in the brain, leading to an enlarged posterior hippocampus. That it consistently leads to changes of the same type across many individuals clearly indicates that the brain is allocating resources to the relevant circuitry when this learning takes place. There are many other ways to learn about the brains specialized processing such as looking what happens when various parts of the brain get damaged, or by putting people in scanners when they perform certain tasks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_temporal_sulcus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_temporal_sulcus