1. If you went back in time and taught Einstein the theory of relativity, whose idea would it be?
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think?
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think?
Can you procrastinate procrastinating?
Spook wrote:
Can you procrastinate procrastinating?
Ooooooo
I like that one!
I say yes. The reason it sounds so odd is because usually procrastination is something we try not to do. To procrastinate procrastination, we would have to actually plan to procrastinate later, which is something we don't normally do. But...you could do it.
For example, if we had made a decision to put off pulling up weeds in the garden until tomorrow, but then we decided to pull up just a few weeds before we put it off, we would be procrastinating on procrastinating.
So yes. QED.
Lmao. Yes. Yes I do have too much time on my hands.
And now...would you like to buy some dehydrated water?
1. Still Einstein. No different than if you reminded someone of an idea they had forgotten.
2. Science is increasingly saying maybe sort of yes.
3. Varies from person to person (I'm more language and concepts, my brain is terrible at pictures, and some folks have aphantasia, while others are extremely visual thinkers), and there are actual studies on real wild children that you might find insightful.
You mean hydrogen peroxide? Or just oxygen? Because you can totally actually buy canned air.
2. Science is increasingly saying maybe sort of yes.
3. Varies from person to person (I'm more language and concepts, my brain is terrible at pictures, and some folks have aphantasia, while others are extremely visual thinkers), and there are actual studies on real wild children that you might find insightful.
Abigail_Austin wrote:
And now...would you like to buy some dehydrated water?
My answers. Not necessarily right or wrong, that is what's fun bout these kinds of questions.
1. If you went back in time and taught Einstein the theory of relativity, whose idea would it be?
Einstein's, because the original timeline where he made it up is still real, you're just in different timeline now because you altered the timeline. Yeah.
2. Do plants think?
I don't know. I think maybe they do, in a way.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both?
I think we think in pictures and concepts. And words are just shortcuts.
But there are a bunch of linguists who think language is necessary for higher-level abstract thought. I think Noam Chompsky is one of those guys. You might remember him because he had a chimp named after him: Nim Chimpsky.
His rivals in the scientific community who were working with chimps did that as a joke, because Noam Chompsky said a chimp couldn't learn sign language. He still to this day maintains that he is right, and that chimps and Koko the Gorilla don't know sign language -- not the way humans do, and that the use of language is what makes humans different.
There are people that say that feral children (and there are some!) that never learned a first language literally can't conceive of certain abstract concepts because their brains have no way to think about them, without a language. Like in the case of Genie Wiley, the "feral" child who was only exposed to language late in childhood.
However, other scientists believe that she understands these abstract concepts, she just doesn't know how to express them. Or doesn't understand what's being asked. I side with that group.
Anywho...
1. If you went back in time and taught Einstein the theory of relativity, whose idea would it be?
Einstein's, because the original timeline where he made it up is still real, you're just in different timeline now because you altered the timeline. Yeah.
2. Do plants think?
I don't know. I think maybe they do, in a way.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both?
I think we think in pictures and concepts. And words are just shortcuts.
But there are a bunch of linguists who think language is necessary for higher-level abstract thought. I think Noam Chompsky is one of those guys. You might remember him because he had a chimp named after him: Nim Chimpsky.
His rivals in the scientific community who were working with chimps did that as a joke, because Noam Chompsky said a chimp couldn't learn sign language. He still to this day maintains that he is right, and that chimps and Koko the Gorilla don't know sign language -- not the way humans do, and that the use of language is what makes humans different.
There are people that say that feral children (and there are some!) that never learned a first language literally can't conceive of certain abstract concepts because their brains have no way to think about them, without a language. Like in the case of Genie Wiley, the "feral" child who was only exposed to language late in childhood.
However, other scientists believe that she understands these abstract concepts, she just doesn't know how to express them. Or doesn't understand what's being asked. I side with that group.
Anywho...
Yay!!!
Novalyyn wrote:
1. Still Einstein. No different than if you reminded someone of an idea they had forgotten.
2. Science is increasingly saying maybe sort of yes.
Cool. I watched a documentary called The Secret Lives of Plants once, and from what they showed on there...it sure does seem like they can think. They change based on what predators prey on them and wage war with other plants underground...I found it fascinating.
3. Varies from person to person (I'm more language and concepts, my brain is terrible at pictures, and some folks have aphantasia, while others are extremely visual thinkers), and there are actual studies on real wild children that you might find insightful.
Interesting! And that's true, I am not a very visual person either.
Oh, and yep--I have read and watched documentaries about some of them and I do find them very insightful. But funnily enough, there's still no consensus on it...whether or not those kids (and animals) can think the same way someone with language thinks. I think they can.
You mean hydrogen peroxide? Or just oxygen? Because you can totally actually buy canned air.
Ha...I thought dehydrated water would just be nothing. Water minus water. But I guess, really when water evaporates, it turns into gas so I see what you mean. Lol
2. Science is increasingly saying maybe sort of yes.
Cool. I watched a documentary called The Secret Lives of Plants once, and from what they showed on there...it sure does seem like they can think. They change based on what predators prey on them and wage war with other plants underground...I found it fascinating.
3. Varies from person to person (I'm more language and concepts, my brain is terrible at pictures, and some folks have aphantasia, while others are extremely visual thinkers), and there are actual studies on real wild children that you might find insightful.
Interesting! And that's true, I am not a very visual person either.
Oh, and yep--I have read and watched documentaries about some of them and I do find them very insightful. But funnily enough, there's still no consensus on it...whether or not those kids (and animals) can think the same way someone with language thinks. I think they can.
Abigail_Austin wrote:
And now...would you like to buy some dehydrated water?
Ha...I thought dehydrated water would just be nothing. Water minus water. But I guess, really when water evaporates, it turns into gas so I see what you mean. Lol
1. If you went back in time and taught Einstein the theory of relativity, whose idea would it be?
Still Einstein's, technically, and in my mind, for a stupid reason.
No one would believe him, even though he's a genius, that someone came back in time. So technically, when he begins 'teaching' it to others, it's viewed as his work. I think?
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
I believe so. One can have instinct without a brain. It's quite possible smaller life forms don't need a brain...most of their work is done by DNA. (Yes, I am aware DNA is more genetics than anything, but there's something in there that sort of wires things...after all, it makes up stuff...I'd have to give this to my biology teacher; he explained this to us once in a much better way!)
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think?
Those of us who do speak language probably define things differently. It could be both, it could be one. Like, if someone says "Rabbit" I automatically see (in my mind) a picture of a cottontail. But one of my friends sees the word rabbit...
Now, for the feral child, I think they would grasp certain things. Assuming that they've been on this island for a long time and that they know how to survive, they've grasped how things work around them. Picking up a crab means getting hurt. Avoid them. Those long things that slide along the ground can bite. Avoid. Those things hanging off the tall wavy things can be eaten, but too much can make you sick. They might not be thinking that in a certain language per se, but they are taking note of the things around them and what actions and consequences do.
I am not assuming that I am right; this is just how I think. Scientists would be able to answer these better than me!
Still Einstein's, technically, and in my mind, for a stupid reason.
No one would believe him, even though he's a genius, that someone came back in time. So technically, when he begins 'teaching' it to others, it's viewed as his work. I think?2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
I believe so. One can have instinct without a brain. It's quite possible smaller life forms don't need a brain...most of their work is done by DNA. (Yes, I am aware DNA is more genetics than anything, but there's something in there that sort of wires things...after all, it makes up stuff...I'd have to give this to my biology teacher; he explained this to us once in a much better way!)
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think?
Those of us who do speak language probably define things differently. It could be both, it could be one. Like, if someone says "Rabbit" I automatically see (in my mind) a picture of a cottontail. But one of my friends sees the word rabbit...
Now, for the feral child, I think they would grasp certain things. Assuming that they've been on this island for a long time and that they know how to survive, they've grasped how things work around them. Picking up a crab means getting hurt. Avoid them. Those long things that slide along the ground can bite. Avoid. Those things hanging off the tall wavy things can be eaten, but too much can make you sick. They might not be thinking that in a certain language per se, but they are taking note of the things around them and what actions and consequences do.
I am not assuming that I am right; this is just how I think. Scientists would be able to answer these better than me!
Skrifa wrote:
1. If you went back in time and taught Einstein the theory of relativity, whose idea would it be?
Still Einstein's, technically, and in my mind, for a stupid reason. No one would believe him, even though he's a genius, that someone came back in time. So technically, when he begins 'teaching' it to others, it's viewed as his work. I think?
Ahhh...the practical approach. His name would be on it in either timeline. *nods sagely* I like that answer!
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
I believe so. One can have instinct without a brain. It's quite possible smaller life forms don't need a brain...most of their work is done by DNA. (Yes, I am aware DNA is more genetics than anything, but there's something in there that sort of wires things...after all, it makes up stuff...I'd have to give this to my biology teacher; he explained this to us once in a much better way!)
I know what you mean. Like that thing that makes decisions based on input from the outside environment...it seems to be in everything living, because it's somehow in the DNA. I think I know what ya mean.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think?
Those of us who do speak language probably define things differently. It could be both, it could be one. Like, if someone says "Rabbit" I automatically see (in my mind) a picture of a cottontail. But one of my friends sees the word rabbit...
Oooo...good example.
Now, for the feral child, I think they would grasp certain things. Assuming that they've been on this island for a long time and that they know how to survive, they've grasped how things work around them. Picking up a crab means getting hurt. Avoid them. Those long things that slide along the ground can bite. Avoid. Those things hanging off the tall wavy things can be eaten, but too much can make you sick. They might not be thinking that in a certain language per se, but they are taking note of the things around them and what actions and consequences do.
Yeah...concepts, exactly.
I am not assuming that I am right; this is just how I think. Scientists would be able to answer these better than me!
Not necessarily! The reason I wanted to hear different peoples' takes on it is that scientists seem to disagree on these things even when they look at the same evidence (well on the last two at least...the first one is just kind of a silly paradox). So your answers are just as interesting because they don't agree necessarily so it's all debatable. Anyway thanks I enjoyed reading your take!!
Still Einstein's, technically, and in my mind, for a stupid reason.
No one would believe him, even though he's a genius, that someone came back in time. So technically, when he begins 'teaching' it to others, it's viewed as his work. I think?Ahhh...the practical approach. His name would be on it in either timeline. *nods sagely* I like that answer!
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
I believe so. One can have instinct without a brain. It's quite possible smaller life forms don't need a brain...most of their work is done by DNA. (Yes, I am aware DNA is more genetics than anything, but there's something in there that sort of wires things...after all, it makes up stuff...I'd have to give this to my biology teacher; he explained this to us once in a much better way!)
I know what you mean. Like that thing that makes decisions based on input from the outside environment...it seems to be in everything living, because it's somehow in the DNA. I think I know what ya mean.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think?
Those of us who do speak language probably define things differently. It could be both, it could be one. Like, if someone says "Rabbit" I automatically see (in my mind) a picture of a cottontail. But one of my friends sees the word rabbit...
Oooo...good example.
Now, for the feral child, I think they would grasp certain things. Assuming that they've been on this island for a long time and that they know how to survive, they've grasped how things work around them. Picking up a crab means getting hurt. Avoid them. Those long things that slide along the ground can bite. Avoid. Those things hanging off the tall wavy things can be eaten, but too much can make you sick. They might not be thinking that in a certain language per se, but they are taking note of the things around them and what actions and consequences do.
Yeah...concepts, exactly.
I am not assuming that I am right; this is just how I think. Scientists would be able to answer these better than me!
Not necessarily! The reason I wanted to hear different peoples' takes on it is that scientists seem to disagree on these things even when they look at the same evidence (well on the last two at least...the first one is just kind of a silly paradox). So your answers are just as interesting because they don't agree necessarily so it's all debatable. Anyway thanks I enjoyed reading your take!!
1. If you went back in time and taught Einstein the theory of relativity, whose idea would it be?
I believe that if one went back in time to before einstein discovered the theory of relativity and taught it to him then history would be altered and in the end everything we currently know ad the past would be altered so who knows? Mabey after being taught by one from the current present timeline would cause einstein to use the theory differently or perhaps not at all?.
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
The answer to this is yes, all plants grow specific to there enviroment which means they have the genetic makeup within there seeds or knowledge to know which way to grow or when to shed there leaves.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think? I believe each element of an animal or humans existience has an effect on how they think or percieve things. Like myself i think in pictures, music, language, art all of it makes how i percieve and navagate my world differnt then how others do.
I believe that if one went back in time to before einstein discovered the theory of relativity and taught it to him then history would be altered and in the end everything we currently know ad the past would be altered so who knows? Mabey after being taught by one from the current present timeline would cause einstein to use the theory differently or perhaps not at all?.
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
The answer to this is yes, all plants grow specific to there enviroment which means they have the genetic makeup within there seeds or knowledge to know which way to grow or when to shed there leaves.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think? I believe each element of an animal or humans existience has an effect on how they think or percieve things. Like myself i think in pictures, music, language, art all of it makes how i percieve and navagate my world differnt then how others do.
Beldesia wrote:
1. If you went back in time and taught Einstein the theory of relativity, whose idea would it be?
I believe that if one went back in time to before einstein discovered the theory of relativity and taught it to him then history would be altered and in the end everything we currently know ad the past would be altered so who knows? Mabey after being taught by one from the current present timeline would cause einstein to use the theory differently or perhaps not at all?.
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
The answer to this is yes, all plants grow specific to there enviroment which means they have the genetic makeup within there seeds or knowledge to know which way to grow or when to shed there leaves.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think? I believe each element of an animal or humans existience has an effect on how they think or percieve things. Like myself i think in pictures, music, language, art all of it makes how i percieve and navagate my world differnt then how others do.
I believe that if one went back in time to before einstein discovered the theory of relativity and taught it to him then history would be altered and in the end everything we currently know ad the past would be altered so who knows? Mabey after being taught by one from the current present timeline would cause einstein to use the theory differently or perhaps not at all?.
2. Do plants think? Do they make decisions based on which way to grow a certain root and whether to shed a certain leaf the same way we make decisions about whether to go to this or that restaurant or pick up this or that bottle of water? Can you think without a brain?
The answer to this is yes, all plants grow specific to there enviroment which means they have the genetic makeup within there seeds or knowledge to know which way to grow or when to shed there leaves.
3. Do you believe that we think in language, pictures, or both? Could a person who never learned language (like a feral child on a desert island) think about abstract concepts the same way we think? I believe each element of an animal or humans existience has an effect on how they think or percieve things. Like myself i think in pictures, music, language, art all of it makes how i percieve and navagate my world differnt then how others do.
Yay. Thanks for answering.
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