The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

Judy Fan: Reverse Engineering the Human Cognitive Toolkit

21 snips
Aug 22, 2024
Judy Fan, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Stanford and the director of the Cognitive Tools Lab, dives into the fascinating intersection of cognitive science and creativity. She discusses how physical artifacts aid in sensemaking and problem-solving, while also revealing the double-edged nature of cognitive tools. Judy explores the evolution of meaning in creativity, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in science, and the role of visuals in communication and cognition, all providing profound insights into understanding human thought.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Shifting Focus to External Representations

  • Judy Fan shifted her research focus from internal mental processes to external physical representations of thought.
  • This shift was driven by a desire to understand how internal ideas manifest in the external world through artifacts like sketches.
INSIGHT

Meaning-Making in Artifacts

  • Judy Fan's research on artifacts focuses on meaning-making.
  • This distinguishes her work from studies of artifacts primarily for instrumental purposes.
INSIGHT

Science as a Social Enterprise

  • Science is a social enterprise that contributes to understanding human nature.
  • Judy Fan's focus on information-carrying artifacts is part of a larger, multidisciplinary effort.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app