quantum_state's comments

On: Molecular quantum nanosensors functioning in living cells

[quantum_state]

Very intriguing ...

On: Richard Dawkins concludes AI is conscious, even if it doesn't know it

[quantum_state]

Yet just another human fooled by LLM ...

On: Group averages obscure how an individual's brain controls behavior: study

[quantum_state]

Is this common sense and by definition of what an average is?

[pacbard → quantum_state]

It seems to be a textbook example of the Simpson's paradox.

[tgv → quantum_state]

In a sense, but it is a bit more devious. It basically invalidates all past fMRI studies. Not that anyone should have taken those seriously, but it looks like another nail in the coffin. fMRI analysis is (was?) basically: squeeze each brain scan into a standard box, then average the BOLD responses (that's roughly oxygen usage between 3s and 9s after activity). This abstract says that --at least in some cases-- those averages are wrong. Not just hiding information through aggregation, but flat-out lying.

Just from reading the link, I do see an objection: they studied repetitions, which are known to be different from the initial response, so this may not be the fMRI's eulogy.

[quaunaut → tgv]

What cases was it saying it was lying? An average and a median can be drastically different without the average being false, right?

[tgv → quaunaut]

The averages a "standard" fMRI analysis produces highlights brain areas which may not even have been involved in the majority of subjects, because the pattern is so wide spread. That is in contrast with your usual average or median over e.g. height. It's a bit like averaging squares on a chess board and concluding that the opening is played in the middle two columns.

[moi2388 → tgv]

I mean.. it kind of is, and even more about control of these two columns..

On: AI should elevate your thinking, not replace it

[quantum_state]

Can’t think properly seems to be the real issue. That’s one of the reasons that SE domain is mostly in ruin. AI won’t help, only to delay a bigger mess.

[taurath → quantum_state]

Ever since the standard office setup went from offices or cubicles to bullpens and hot desks there is less and less time to think, and all of that is a management decision to ship things as fast as possible

On: DeepSeek v4

[quantum_state]

Europe will not be independent as long as there are US military bases there. Saying otherwise would be kidding oneself.

[benterix → quantum_state]

You are aware that the number of American soldiers in these bases is symbolic and their presence is meant to be a deterrent for Russia?

On: If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

[quantum_state]

This trend will continue as long as tax payers money is wasted in useless and unnecessary wars …

On: Claude Code to be removed from Anthropic's Pro plan?

[quantum_state]

Claude Code has become useless anyway in the last few weeks. I want my money back!

On: Laws of Software Engineering

[quantum_state]

Unfortunately, violation of any of these laws don't seem to have immediate consequences. That's why the IT industry is in ruin.

On: Claude Code to be removed from Anthropic's Pro plan?

[quantum_state]

Claude Code started to suck since a couple of weeks ago. I want my money back!

On: How Passive Radar Works

[quantum_state]

Would suggest to take a look at Jackson’s book on classical electrodynamics to get some intuition.

[stagger87 → quantum_state]

That's very evil to recommend a graduate electrodynamics book to learn more about passive radar. I would suggest taking a look at Platos Republic to get some intuition on why that is. </s>

[alwa → stagger87]

If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, first you must invent the universe…

[morphle → alwa]

A famous quote from Carl Sagan in the marvelous Cosmos documentary where he explains atoms by slicing an apple pie until you can not slice no more because you are down to a single elementairy particle the atom.

Carl also references Plato's Republic when visiting the actual cave where Plato lived.

Carl also references books classical mechanics but not the book the parent comment mentions but earlier ones like Al-Baghdadi, Cristian Huygens, Galileo, Newton.