This blog is going to delve into a complex argument about the purpose of language. When we think of language, we intuitively think of communication. However, cognitive scientists would argue that the purpose of language is to organize our thoughts. How do we parse out the true purpose of language? We can start by analyzing the four properties of human language: discreteness, … [Read more...] about The Purpose of Language
Previous Editors Blogs
A Simplified Overview of Haptics
To review the concept of extended reality- let’s return back to the definition of reality itself. It is an accumulation of experiences, gathered physically and mentally over time. This means that extending reality is effectively altering or augmenting these experiences as they enter your consciousness, which is done by engaging with your senses. Most prominently in AR and VR, … [Read more...] about A Simplified Overview of Haptics
Nope: Exploitation
Nope is a 2022 movie that was directed and written by Jordan Peele. The movie starts out with a scene from a sitcom called Gordy’s Home, which ends in the chimpanzee animal actor being triggered by a balloon popping on set, and attacking everyone, until he’s shot dead by the authorities. After that, the movie follows Otis “OJ” Haywood Jr. and Emerald “Em” Haywood as they deal … [Read more...] about Nope: Exploitation
The Replication Crisis
One recent problem that the field of psychology has been facing is the replication crisis. This means that researchers redo a psychological study with the same procedures as the original, but they may not obtain the same (significant) results. When these findings first came to light, some started to question the validity of psychology as a science due to its lack of … [Read more...] about The Replication Crisis
Avatars and Our Perception of Self in Digital Worlds
We use avatars all the time, even outside of our computer screens. The advent of playing roles to fit in and navigate other worlds is not exclusive to gaming, though that is where we hear the word “avatar” thrown around most. Once you enter a game of soccer, and are pitted against another team, you take on the role of a player from your own team. The rules of your world have … [Read more...] about Avatars and Our Perception of Self in Digital Worlds