Comments for Fourcultures

Comment on Everything’s Intentional by dmk38

dmk38 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:58:50 +0000

too easy: the word is “intentional.”

Comment on A two-bit theory of social reality by dmk38

dmk38 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:51:37 +0000

oh… okay. I just really like entanglement!
thx!

Comment on A two-bit theory of social reality by fourcultures

fourcultures — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:27:36 +0000

Is there a quantum translation of my 2 bits heuristic? Yes and no... Actually I'm not going there. If I did we'd end up with our own little version of the Sokal Affair. I'm not sure what a discussion of qubits would add here, although it would provide several illustrations of systems that operate beyond simply 'either/or', 'on/off','up/down'. The key point is this: "as experience in Computer Science has shown, working at the right level of abstraction is essential if large and complex systems are to be described and reasoned about in a managable fashion" (Abramsky 2012:16). I'm not yet convinced that quantum computing and human social behaviour share relevant levels of abstraction. I'm just exploring... On the other hand I think it's relevant to use the binary metaphor because we appear to use this all the time in social contexts. Three alternative routes forward since I'm not entirely comfortable with quantum computing: One line of enquiry might be in the direction of game theory, which abstracts, typically, to two players faced with a couple of alternative choices each (e.g. loyalty or defection, stag or hare). Another might be in the direction of information theory as metaphor. Information (for computer science) means something quite different from information (for ordinary human communication). Conflating these two meanings seems problematic, not least because it tends to anthropomorphise machinery and machinify human brains. A third way forward might be to investigate the Jain concept of Syādvāda, a sophisticated (but non-scientific) understanding of conditioned predication. The equivalent to the 'quantum' state might be syād-asti-nāsti-avaktavyaḥ - 'in some ways it is, it is not and it is indescribable'. But Jain logic has seven predications, saptabhanginaya, not two or four.

Comment on New uses for classic theories – Mary Douglas in 2010 by Drum and bass

Drum and bass — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:19:17 +0000

I suggest adding a “google+” button for the blog! Hellen

Comment on A two-bit theory of social reality by dmk38

dmk38 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:28:02 +0000

this seems very right!

Now, “yes & no” — that is what quantum bits (qubits) are for, correct?

Is there a “quantum” translation of your 2 bits heuristic? Maybe you’ll say no. But if yes, can you tell us what it would be like to use it? Maybe illustrate?

Comment on A two-bit theory of social reality by ooa revo

ooa revo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:06:40 +0000

Reblogged this on Reblog Machine.

Comment on The meaning of culture by Charla

Charla — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:37:57 +0000

I appeirctae you taking to time to contribute That’s very helpful.

Comment on Experts and Cultural Cognition by fourcultures

fourcultures — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:15:13 +0000

Thanks! Lots of writing, not much time to actually post. Expect more in the next couple of weeks.

Comment on Experts and Cultural Cognition by dmk38

dmk38 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:34:50 +0000

please post something!

Comment on Experts and Cultural Cognition by dmk38

dmk38 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:51:25 +0000

You are of course correct! I acknowledge this — but offer a qualification with which you might or might not agree — at http://www.culturalcognition.net/blog/2011/12/17/do-experts-use-cultural-cognition.html