The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe The Skeptics Guide #1065 - Dec 6 2025
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Dec 6, 2025 A fascinating study explores how macaque brains handle compositionality, raising questions about cognitive flexibility. China's ambitious tree-planting rush might be causing unintended hydrological issues, reducing water supplies. Misinformation around hormonal birth control is scrutinized, emphasizing risk communication. Exciting findings from asteroid Bennu reveal possible building blocks for life. Plus, discussions on climate denial, cardiac scans, and even the aversion some people have toward nature keep listeners engaged and informed!
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Brain Uses Reusable Cognitive Building Blocks
- Researchers found evidence for neural compositionality: sensory and motor components can be reused like building blocks.
- Compositionality speeds learning of related tasks but causes interference with previously learned tasks.
Driving Shows Skill Interference
- Steve described switching between an electric car and a gas car to illustrate interference in motor skills.
- Regenerative braking habits from one car required relearning when driving the other car.
Lumpers Versus Splitters In Learning
- People fall along a lumper–splitter spectrum balancing transfer versus interference in learning.
- High compositionality (lumpers) aids new learning but increases interference; splitters avoid interference.
