On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 9:50 AM, Mark Waser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Wow!  The civility level on this list is really bottoming out . . . . along
> with any sort of scientific grounding.

> Experimental (imaging) evidence shows that known words will strongly
> activate some set of neurons when heard.  Unknown words with recognizable
> parts/features will also activate some other set of neurons when heard,
> possibly allowing the individual to puzzle out the meaning even if the word
> has never been heard before.  Totally unknown words will not strongly
> activate any neurons -- except subsequently (i.e. on a delay) some set of
> HUH? neurons.

Well, your imaging evidence is part imaging and part imagining since
no one knows what the imaging is actually showing.  I think it is
commonly believed that the imaging techniques show blood flow into
areas of the brain, and this is (reasonably in my view) taken as
evidence of neural activity. Ok, but what kind of thinking is actually
going on and how extensive are the links that don't have enough wow
factor for repeatable experiments researchers to issue as a press
release.  So if you are going to claim that you're speculations are
superiorly grounded,  I would like to see some research that shows
that unknown words will not strongly activate any neurons.  Take your
time, I am only asking a question, not challenging you to fantasy
combat.

Jim Bromer


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