About us
Science Blog was started in August 2002. It lives, breathes and eats press releases from research organizations around the globe. Most of what you read here are press releases from the outfits named in the stories themselves. Got a news story you think belongs here?
Let's talk.
The other half of the equation is
blog posts from readers like you. So if you have an interest in science,
please register and join others like you in an ongoing, vibrant dialog about what makes the world tick. Meantime, please take a minute to read our
Privacy Policy and Site Disclaimer.
My unqualified view is that neural "noise" is a representation of the normal condition of cognition; a state of individual organization. I am suggesting that each individual brain, and its' neuronal organization develops, of necessity, differently, and result in a comparatively random firing sequences. If each individual brain, and its' neurons were organized in exactly the same way, harbored the same genetic characteristics, and were exposed to the exact environmental exposure and pressures, I suspect neuronal firing would be very similar, if not exact. Since the above scenario does not, can not occur, the result is the randomness noted. Therefore, the so-called randomness, as regards to neuronal firing is not particularly significant, in light of the above mentioned comments.
"You'd think this is crazy because engineers are always fighting to reduce the noise in their circuits, and yet here's the best computing machine in the universe—and it looks utterly random." I would suggest that "neural noise" is not, as wet well defined, such that it is reasonable to analogize it to that which "engineers are always fighting to reduce in their circuits." As such, this comparison warrants a more complete understanding, and justification.
Ostensibly, all of the relative conclusions in the article are grounded upon incomplete knowledge between mathematical models, and brain function, as well as a true understanding of "neural noise," and how such represents individual brain development and neuronal firing.
I an persuaded that the study of brain structure and function is very important, and will lead to techniques to improve learning, and to treat dysfunctional behavior. At the same time I believe most of what is knowable about the function and nature of the brain is amenable to human intelligence; self-reflection, anthropological research, behavior studies, and so forth. In short, brain science, in my view, must, of necessity, be aligned with, and grounded in a broader understanding, if it hopes to accord with reasonable knowledge, and understanding, well established in other disciplines.