24 Hrs of Solitude - a scientific perspective

[robin wood]

This one just popped up again and I thought I would have a peep at the source. I am interested in what makes "a scientific perspective" in the public view. In this case it is just one idea, the general random thought process of one chap who happens to work at a university. Does that mean that any utterance of my wife is also a "scientific perspective".

An article above it in the same source "JESSE BERING, Psychologist, University of Arkansas, Science will never silence God" is that also "from a scientific perspective"

I agree with the original thoughts but I think we should recognise the difference between this and the results of a proper scientific survey published in a peer reviewed journal for instance.

 

[Wallenstein]

I am interested in what makes "a scientific perspective" in the public view. In this case it is just one idea, the general random thought process of one chap who happens to work at a university. Does that mean that any utterance of my wife is also a "scientific perspective".

If your wife mops the floors, then no.

If your wife has 40yrs research experience in neurobiology, then yes.

And not just "any utterance"... if Prof. Chalupa opined on ancient mesopotamian glassware that would have less weight than his thoughts on human cognitive processes.

Obviously it's a distilled snapshot of an idea, in a whimsical "popular science" book, and is not supported by peer reviewed journal articles etc, it is still more than the "general random thought process" of someone who "happens to work in a university". But I would expect that to be clear from the context of the linked article?

Prof. Chalupa has a long list of published research in the field of neurobiology, all accessible if you want to read them, and no doubt reading his research would allow you to come to a similar conclusion (or provide good reasons not to believe him).

An article above it in the same source "JESSE BERING, Psychologist, University of Arkansas, Science will never silence God" is that also "from a scientific perspective"

Given than Jesse Bering has published a number of peer-reviewed papers on evolutionary psychology, and is director of a psychology department at a leading European university, I'd say "yes".

You don't have to agree with it, but his research is available to read if you wanted.

I agree with the original thoughts but I think we should recognise the difference between this and the results of a proper scientific survey published in a peer reviewed journal for instance.

Ho hum... I'll make sure I have a double-blinded, controlled, peer-reviewed study before I post next time. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[wicca]

JoJo, yes she was a steel boat. Rather than intrude on this thread which I suspect may go into territory far beyond the reach of my small but happy brain, I'll do a separate,and suitably labelled post with some photos.

 

[robin wood]

If your wife mops the floors, then no.

If your wife has 40yrs research experience in neurobiology, then yes.

And not just "any utterance"... if Prof. Chalupa opined on ancient mesopotamian glassware that would have less weight than his thoughts on human cognitive processes.

Obviously it's a distilled snapshot of an idea, in a whimsical "popular science" book, and is not supported by peer reviewed journal articles etc, it is still more than the "general random thought process" of someone who "happens to work in a university". But I would expect that to be clear from the context of the linked article?

Prof. Chalupa has a long list of published research in the field of neurobiology, all accessible if you want to read them, and no doubt reading his research would allow you to come to a similar conclusion (or provide good reasons not to believe him).


Given than Jesse Bering has published a number of peer-reviewed papers on evolutionary psychology, and is director of a psychology department at a leading European university, I'd say "yes".

You don't have to agree with it, but his research is available to read if you wanted.


Ho hum... I'll make sure I have a double-blinded, controlled, peer-reviewed study before I post next time. Sorry for the confusion.

Fair point well made. But I enjoy a debate so I am I hope you won't take offense if I dig a little deeper. Our chap is a scientist so perhaps we could say that anything he says on any subject...yes even ancient mesopotamian glassware is from a scientific perspective. The question is, is he on his specialist topic and is it backed by any scientific research.

I have not gone through all his published work but a scan through 40 or so of his papers showed that random sample were all to do with the development of cells in eyes. This is what he says his research interests are;

Research Interests:
Development and plasticity of the mammalian visual system. Factors that regulate the establishment of functional, neurochemical, and structural properties of retinal ganglion cells.

I am sure that there are scientists that study the effect of being alone and Prof Chalupa may do so in his private life but I can find no published work by him on even remotely related subjects.

As for the Dr Nicola Wood She doesn't mop floors has 8 years academic research experience and likes to pull me up and check if I am talking opinion or verifiable fact. I suspect Prof Chalupa would make it very clear that the article above is the former not the latter.

 

[h2o]

Whats wrong with mopping floors,Cleanliness is next to godliness

 

[robin wood]

Whats wrong with mopping floors,Cleanliness is next to godliness

Yes indeed, I suspect it's especially good for you if you do it on your own without talking to anyone, quite zen.

I do mine with loud rock and roll blaring.

 

[HillBill]

I love nothing better than to grab my bag and bug out for a day or two.

My wife's not the problem as over the years she has learned to give me space, but my kids haven't caught on yet and drive me mad with the constant tele or computer or the inevitable arguments.

After a day or two away though, I can take the pace of family life again for a while.

Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but I have always been the knid of guy that needs to be on his own from time to time.

Phill

I can emphasize with that mate. That is pretty much my situation too. Although in my case it's the mrs who doesn't get it.

 

[Wallenstein]

Fair point well made. But I enjoy a debate so I am I hope you won't take offense if I dig a little deeper. Our chap is a scientist so perhaps we could say that anything he says on any subject...yes even ancient mesopotamian glassware is from a scientific perspective. The question is, is he on his specialist topic and is it backed by any scientific research.

Well, I've heard it said that an expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less... although a person is a "scientist" that's not a blanket description of who they are, any more than the comments I might make on firebuilding are from an "IT geek" perspective.

I have not gone through all his published work but a scan through 40 or so of his papers showed that random sample were all to do with the development of cells in eyes.

There are plenty of papers that deal with the neural impact of eye development - essentially looking at how images generated in the eye are processed by the brain; he has papers in the Journal of Neurophysiology which suggests his research does refer (in part at least) specifically to neurobiology.

I am sure that there are scientists that study the effect of being alone and Prof Chalupa may do so in his private life but I can find no published work by him on even remotely related subjects.

I think you're getting it backwards... Prof Chalupa's starting point is his research into how sensory input affects neural development.

If it's the case that sensory input - particlarly the increased levels of sensory input experienced in modern society - has a demonstrable effect on the brain, it is (perhaps?) a reasonable inference that a change to that level of input, i.e. 24hrs without speaking to anyone, will also affect a person's neural state.

It sounds like there's a nice PhD study in there somewhere... measuring the effect of solitude on human neural activity or something.

As for the Dr Nicola Wood She doesn't mop floors has 8 years academic research experience and likes to pull me up and check if I am talking opinion or verifiable fact.

Speaking of verifiable fact, it's a fact that your missus could do with a proof-reader to check her CV (the title of her most recent publication has a typo).

(No snark intended!)

I suspect Prof Chalupa would make it very clear that the article above is the former not the latter.

Of course, but I'd be amazed if anyone were to take it as solid fact rather than (informed) opinion. It was intended as a light-hearted post suggesting that there is perhaps some objective validation of what many of us know... namely that a period of silence can work wonders for the soul*. Nevertheless, I still think Prof Chalupa's extensive background in neurobiology lends a greater degree of interest to the position, and it would be fun to see if it is actually bourne out by a rigourous scientific study.

*yes, I know

 

[robin wood]

Of course, but I'd be amazed if anyone were to take it as solid fact rather than (informed) opinion. It was intended as a light-hearted post suggesting that there is perhaps some objective validation of what many of us know... namely that a period of silence can work wonders for the soul*. Nevertheless, I still think Prof Chalupa's extensive background in neurobiology lends a greater degree of interest to the position, and it would be fun to see if it is actually bourne out by a rigourous scientific study.

*yes, I know

All fair points again, and yes it would be fun to see that research done.

 

[dangerpie]

This sounds like something I need to try when I need some time to sort my head out!
If only I could find a place around where I live where that was possible!

 

[Thijzzz]

That`s how things have turned out for me too, minus the kids.

SWMBO`s kind of got used to me wanting to get away from things for a few days now and then. I got all the strange questions at the beginning but then she got used to it eventually. Everybody needs some me time now and then, it`s good for the soul.

Second that. SWMBO has always been very relaxed at this point. She knows I need it, and she's OK with that. She loves to just watch a couple of hours of TV with the cats on the sofa, that's her way of unwinding.

Getting up early for a walk in the woods (which, in Holland, are laiden with foothpaths so you can't get away from people really) when no one else is awake yet, gives me a feeling of having the woods to myself. Lovely.

Also, I went to work early some times and spent 15 min walks in a piece of woodland. Good way to start your day. Unfortunatley the warm blaknies ususally keep me in bed for those 15 minutes extra.

 

[BOD]

This sounds like something I need to try when I need some time to sort my head out!
If only I could find a place around where I live where that was possible!

I managed near to 72 hours above a shophouse on the London Road in Norbury, South London