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It is as if you were on your phone

Posted: 2025-03-09 13:40:35

Pippin Barr's "It is as if you were on your phone" is a web-based art piece that simulates the experience of endlessly scrolling through a smartphone. It presents a vertically scrolling feed of generic, placeholder-like content—images, text snippets, and UI elements—mimicking the addictive, often mindless nature of phone usage. The piece offers no real interaction beyond scrolling, highlighting the passive consumption and fleeting engagement often associated with social media and other phone-based activities. It serves as a commentary on how this behavior can feel both absorbing and empty.

Pippin Barr, in his blog post entitled "It is as if you were on your phone," meticulously dissects the pervasive and arguably detrimental impact of smartphone usage on our attention spans and cognitive processes, drawing a parallel between this phenomenon and the experience of navigating a physical art exhibition. He posits that the very act of attending such an exhibition, an activity traditionally associated with contemplation and focused observation, has been subtly yet significantly altered by the ingrained habits cultivated through constant interaction with our mobile devices.

Barr elaborates on this observation by describing his own experience at an exhibition, noting how he found himself unconsciously replicating the quick glances and fragmented attention typical of smartphone usage, even when engaging with static artworks. He argues that the constant influx of notifications and the rapid-fire nature of online content have conditioned us to process information in short bursts, hindering our capacity for sustained engagement and deeper contemplation. This "phone-like" behavior, he suggests, manifests in the gallery setting as a tendency to flit from piece to piece, absorbing only surface-level impressions rather than immersing oneself in the artwork's nuances.

The author further emphasizes this point by detailing how he caught himself instinctively reaching for his phone, even though he had no specific intention or need to do so. This reflexive action, he contends, underscores the extent to which smartphone usage has become ingrained in our subconscious, shaping our behavior even in contexts where it is irrelevant or even counterproductive. The urge to check notifications, scroll through feeds, and engage in the constant stimulation offered by our devices has become so deeply embedded that it intrudes upon and disrupts experiences that demand a different mode of engagement, such as appreciating art.

In essence, Barr argues that our relationship with smartphones has fundamentally reshaped our cognitive landscape, affecting not only how we interact with technology but also how we experience the world around us. The fragmented attention and constant need for stimulation fostered by our devices, he concludes, are encroaching upon our ability to engage deeply with the offline world, diminishing our capacity for contemplation and potentially hindering our appreciation of experiences that require sustained focus, such as visiting an art exhibition. This "as if you were on your phone" state of being, he implies, is a pervasive and concerning trend with potentially far-reaching consequences for our cognitive abilities and our engagement with the world.

Summary of Comments ( 10 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43308994

HN commenters largely agree with the author's premise that modern web browsing often feels like using a constrained mobile app, even on desktop. Several point to the increasing prevalence of single-column layouts, large headers, and hamburger menus as key culprits. Some suggest this trend is driven by a mobile-first design philosophy gone too far, while others argue it's a consequence of sites prioritizing content management systems (CMS) ease of use over user experience. A few commenters propose solutions like browser extensions to customize layouts or the adoption of CSS frameworks that prioritize adaptability. One compelling comment highlights the irony of mobile sites sometimes offering more functionality than their desktop counterparts due to this simplification. Another suggests the issue stems from the dominance of JavaScript frameworks that encourage mobile-centric design patterns.

The Hacker News post "It is as if you were on your phone" (linking to pippinbarr.com/it-is-as-if-you-were-on-your-phone/info/) generated several comments discussing the author's experience with an overstimulating website. Many commenters agreed with the author's sentiment, sharing their own frustrations with modern web design.

Several commenters focused on the prevalence of unnecessary JavaScript and animations on websites, arguing these elements contribute to a chaotic and distracting experience. They lamented the loss of simpler, static websites that prioritized content over flashy visuals. One commenter specifically highlighted the increasing use of "scrolljacking," where the website controls the scrolling behavior, leading to a disorienting and unpleasant user experience. This was echoed by others who felt a loss of control when browsing these sites.

The discussion also touched upon the degradation of the user experience on mobile devices, where these issues are often amplified. Commenters pointed out that the constant barrage of notifications, pop-ups, and animations is particularly disruptive on smaller screens.

Some users shared their personal strategies for mitigating these issues, including browser extensions that block JavaScript or disable animations. Others expressed a desire for a return to simpler web design principles, advocating for websites that prioritize readability and ease of navigation.

The comparison to the "always-on," notification-heavy experience of smartphone usage resonated with many. Commenters expressed a sense of being overwhelmed by the constant demands for attention from websites, mirroring the feeling of being perpetually tethered to their phones.

While some acknowledged the potential benefits of interactive elements in certain contexts, the overall sentiment leaned towards a preference for a calmer, less intrusive online experience. The comments reflected a growing frustration with the direction of web design and a longing for the simpler days of the web.

Cognitive Behaviors That Enable Self-Improving Reasoners

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Posted: 2025-03-06 01:33:14

This paper explores cognitive behaviors that contribute to effective self-improvement in reasoning. It argues that simply possessing knowledge and logical rules isn't enough; individuals must actively engage in metacognitive processes to refine their reasoning. These processes include actively seeking out and evaluating evidence, considering alternative perspectives and explanations, identifying and correcting biases, and reflecting on one's own reasoning process. The authors propose a framework for these "self-improving reasoner" behaviors, emphasizing the importance of "epistemic vigilance," which involves carefully scrutinizing information and its sources, and "adaptive reasoning," which entails adjusting reasoning strategies based on performance and feedback. Ultimately, cultivating these cognitive behaviors is essential for overcoming limitations in reasoning and achieving more accurate and reliable conclusions.

The arXiv preprint, "Cognitive Behaviors that Enable Self-Improving Reasoners," delves into the crucial cognitive mechanisms that underpin the development of self-improving reasoning agents. The authors posit that effective self-improvement hinges not merely on the capacity to learn and adapt, but also on a suite of specific cognitive behaviors that guide this process. These behaviors, they argue, are essential for directing learning efforts, evaluating progress, and ultimately, achieving progressively more sophisticated reasoning capabilities.

The paper meticulously dissects several key cognitive behaviors, exploring their individual contributions to self-improvement. One such behavior is self-reflection, encompassing the ability to introspect on one's own reasoning processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and strategically allocate cognitive resources to areas requiring refinement. This introspection allows the agent to pinpoint biases, flawed heuristics, or gaps in knowledge that impede effective reasoning.

Another critical behavior is goal setting, where the agent formulates explicit objectives for enhancing its reasoning abilities. These goals might involve improving the accuracy of predictions, increasing the speed of inference, or expanding the scope of domains in which effective reasoning can be applied. The presence of well-defined goals provides a framework for evaluating progress and ensuring that self-improvement efforts remain focused and productive.

The authors also highlight the importance of experimentation, whereby the agent actively explores different reasoning strategies and evaluates their effectiveness. This might involve testing alternative algorithms, adopting new heuristics, or seeking out diverse datasets to train on. Through careful experimentation, the agent can identify approaches that lead to demonstrably improved performance and discard those that prove ineffective.

Furthermore, the concept of knowledge consolidation is explored, emphasizing the agent's ability to integrate newly acquired knowledge and skills into its existing cognitive framework. This involves not only memorizing new information but also understanding how it relates to existing knowledge and adapting reasoning strategies accordingly. Effective knowledge consolidation ensures that learning is cumulative and contributes to long-term improvements in reasoning.

The paper also discusses the significance of environment interaction. Self-improving reasoners do not operate in a vacuum; they actively engage with their environment to gather information, test hypotheses, and refine their understanding of the world. This interaction provides valuable feedback that drives the self-improvement process.

Finally, the authors address the role of self-monitoring and evaluation. The agent must continuously monitor its own performance and assess its progress towards its stated goals. This involves collecting data on reasoning accuracy, efficiency, and other relevant metrics. By tracking its performance, the agent can identify areas where further improvement is needed and adjust its self-improvement strategies accordingly. This cyclical process of self-monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation is crucial for continuous growth and refinement of reasoning capabilities.

In essence, the paper argues that the development of truly self-improving reasoning agents requires a nuanced understanding of these interwoven cognitive behaviors. By focusing on the development and integration of these behaviors, researchers can pave the way for the creation of more intelligent and adaptable artificial systems capable of continuous self-improvement.

Summary of Comments ( 57 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43275193

HN users discuss potential issues and implications of the paper "Cognitive Behaviors That Enable Self-Improving Reasoners." Some express skepticism about the feasibility of recursive self-improvement in AI, citing the potential for unforeseen consequences and the difficulty of defining "improvement" rigorously. Others question the paper's focus on cognitive architectures, arguing that current deep learning approaches might achieve similar outcomes through different mechanisms. The limited scope of the proposed "cognitive behaviors" also draws criticism, with commenters suggesting they are too simplistic to capture the complexities of general intelligence. Several users point out the lack of concrete implementation details and the difficulty of testing the proposed ideas empirically. Finally, there's a discussion about the ethical implications of self-improving AI, highlighting concerns about control and alignment with human values.

The Hacker News post titled "Cognitive Behaviors That Enable Self-Improving Reasoners," linking to an arXiv preprint, has generated several comments discussing the paper and related concepts.

Several commenters express skepticism about the practicality and relevance of the proposed theoretical framework. One commenter questions the real-world applicability, pointing out the difference between theoretical models and the messy reality of human cognition. They argue that factors like motivation and emotion, which are not fully addressed in the paper, play crucial roles in human reasoning and self-improvement.

Another commenter raises concerns about the definition of "reasoning" used in the paper, suggesting it might be too narrow. They argue that focusing solely on logical deduction neglects other important aspects of reasoning, such as inductive reasoning and abductive reasoning. This commenter also questions the feasibility of creating a self-improving reasoner based solely on the principles outlined in the paper.

A further point of contention revolves around the paper's focus on individual agents. One commenter suggests that social interaction and learning from others are crucial for cognitive development and improvement, aspects that the paper doesn't adequately address. They argue that a more realistic model of self-improving reasoning should consider the influence of social dynamics and collaborative learning.

There's also a discussion about the computational complexity of the proposed model. One commenter expresses doubt about the scalability of the approach, suggesting that the computational resources required for self-improvement might quickly become prohibitive as the complexity of the reasoning tasks increases.

Some commenters offer alternative perspectives on self-improving reasoning, drawing on concepts from fields like reinforcement learning and evolutionary computation. One commenter suggests that reinforcement learning algorithms, which learn from feedback and adjust their behavior accordingly, could be a more promising avenue for developing self-improving systems.

Finally, a few commenters express general interest in the paper's topic and acknowledge the importance of studying self-improving reasoning. They appreciate the authors' attempt to formalize the concept and provide a theoretical framework for future research, even if they have reservations about the specific approach taken in the paper.

Overall, the comments reflect a mix of skepticism, cautious optimism, and intellectual curiosity regarding the paper's claims and implications. While some find the theoretical framework intriguing, others express concerns about its practicality, scope, and underlying assumptions. The discussion highlights the challenges inherent in studying and modeling complex cognitive processes like self-improving reasoning.

Learning fast and accurate absolute pitch judgment in adulthood

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Posted: 2025-02-13 08:38:13

This study demonstrates that adults can develop fast and accurate absolute pitch (AP) judgment through intensive, adaptive training. Participants engaged in a gamified training program involving identifying isolated piano notes and chords, with difficulty dynamically adjusting based on performance. After 30 training sessions, participants showed significant improvement, achieving rapid and accurate AP judgment comparable to individuals with naturally occurring AP. This finding challenges the prevailing notion that AP acquisition is limited to early childhood and suggests the potential for widespread AP development in adulthood with targeted training.

This research article, titled "Learning fast and accurate absolute pitch (AP) judgment in adulthood," published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, investigates the potential for adults to acquire near-perfect absolute pitch (AP) capabilities through a novel training method. Absolute pitch, the ability to identify or produce the pitch of a musical tone without an external reference, is generally considered a rare skill predominantly acquired during a critical period in childhood. This study challenges that long-held assumption by demonstrating significant improvements in AP accuracy among adult participants following a relatively short training period.

The researchers developed a gamified training program employing a technique called adaptive pitch resolution training. This method progressively refined participants' pitch discrimination abilities by starting with easily distinguishable intervals and gradually narrowing the differences as performance improved. Crucially, the training focused on associating specific pitches with visually presented colors, creating a cross-modal link that potentially facilitates pitch encoding and retrieval. The color associations were consistent throughout the training, providing a stable anchoring point for the pitch perception. Furthermore, the gamified nature of the training, incorporating elements of feedback and progress tracking, aimed to maintain participant motivation and engagement, which is often a crucial factor in successful learning paradigms.

The study involved multiple experiments with adult participants lacking pre-existing AP skills. These experiments rigorously tested the efficacy of the training program, comparing its results with control groups and alternative training methods. The results revealed a substantial improvement in AP accuracy in the experimental group compared to the control groups, showcasing the effectiveness of the adaptive pitch resolution training coupled with color-pitch associations. Participants who underwent the training demonstrated a remarkable ability to identify isolated musical tones with high accuracy, approaching the performance levels typically observed in individuals with natural AP.

Importantly, the study also investigated the long-term retention of the acquired AP skills. Follow-up assessments conducted several weeks after the training period demonstrated that the improvements in pitch identification accuracy were largely maintained, suggesting that the learning was not merely a short-term effect. This finding further bolsters the argument for the potential of adult AP acquisition and emphasizes the robustness of the training method.

The authors conclude that their findings provide strong evidence for the plasticity of the auditory system in adulthood and challenge the traditional notion of a critical period for AP acquisition. They propose that the adaptive training approach, combined with cross-modal associations, may facilitate the development of robust and long-lasting AP skills even in individuals who did not acquire AP during childhood. This research opens up new avenues for understanding the mechanisms underlying pitch perception and offers promising possibilities for musical training and education. The potential implications extend beyond musical domains, potentially offering insights into the broader principles of perceptual learning and cognitive enhancement.

Summary of Comments ( 4 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43033971

HN users discuss the study's methodology and implications. Some are skeptical of the claim of "perfect pitch," pointing out that the training focused on recognizing 12 specific notes within a limited octave range, rather than the broader range typically associated with perfect pitch. Others questioned the long-term retention of the skill and the study's small sample size. Several commenters expressed interest in trying the training themselves, while others debated the practical value of perfect pitch versus relative pitch for musicians. The discussion also touched on the neuroscience of pitch perception and the possibility of inherent limitations in adult learning of perfect pitch. Some users shared personal anecdotes about their own experiences with pitch training and the difficulties in achieving and maintaining perfect pitch.

The Hacker News post "Learning fast and accurate absolute pitch judgment in adulthood," linking to a Springer article about a study on adult AP acquisition, has several comments discussing the study's methodology, potential implications, and personal experiences with absolute pitch (AP).

One commenter questions the ecological validity of the study, pointing out that the training focused on recognizing isolated notes, which differs from how AP is typically used in musical contexts. They argue that true AP involves recognizing notes within chords and melodies, and the study doesn't address this crucial aspect. This commenter also expresses skepticism about the long-term retention of the learned skill, suggesting a follow-up study would be necessary to determine its lasting effects.

Another commenter raises concerns about the study's sample size and the potential for self-selection bias. They note that individuals interested in participating in such a study might already have some predisposition towards pitch recognition, which could skew the results. This comment highlights the importance of replicating the study with larger and more diverse groups to confirm its findings.

Several commenters share their personal experiences with AP, offering anecdotal evidence that seems to both support and contradict the study's claims. One commenter, claiming to possess AP, mentions the difficulty they have with timbre variation, where the same note played on different instruments can sound different enough to make identification challenging. This introduces the nuance that AP is not simply about frequency recognition but also involves complex auditory processing influenced by timbre.

Another commenter, a musician without AP, describes the strategies they use to quickly identify notes, highlighting the learned skill of relative pitch, where musicians identify notes based on their relationship to a reference pitch. This comment contributes to the discussion by illustrating that while AP might be a distinct ability, highly developed relative pitch can often achieve similar functional outcomes in musical contexts.

A further commenter raises the point that AP may not be a binary skill, suggesting it exists on a spectrum. They mention their experience of being able to recognize certain notes reliably while struggling with others, implying that the ability could be partially developed or present in varying degrees.

Finally, some commenters discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of possessing AP. Some view it as a valuable musical tool, while others suggest it could be a hindrance, potentially leading to over-reliance on perfect pitch and neglecting the development of relative pitch, a crucial skill for musicians.

In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post offer a diverse range of perspectives on the study and the topic of AP. They raise important methodological considerations, provide personal anecdotes that enrich the discussion, and explore the practical implications of possessing AP, highlighting both its potential advantages and disadvantages for musicians.

Cab Numbers

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Posted: 2025-01-21 17:37:39

Cab numbers, also known as Ramanujan-Hardy numbers, are positive integers that can be expressed as the sum of two positive cubes in two different ways. The smallest such number is 1729, which is 1³ + 12³ and also 9³ + 10³. The post explores these numbers, providing a formula for generating them and listing the first few examples. It delves into the mathematical underpinnings of these intriguing numbers, discussing their connection to elliptic curves and highlighting the contributions of Srinivasa Ramanujan in identifying their unique property. The author also explores a related concept: numbers expressible as the sum of two cubes in three different ways, offering formulas and examples for these less-common numerical curiosities.

This article, titled "Cab Numbers," delves into a fascinating mathematical curiosity known as the Hardy-Ramanujan number, also referred to as the "taxi-cab number," specifically 1729. The article begins by recounting the famous anecdote of the mathematician G.H. Hardy visiting his ailing colleague Srinivasa Ramanujan in a taxicab numbered 1729. Hardy remarked that the number seemed rather dull, to which Ramanujan promptly replied that it was, in fact, quite interesting, being the smallest positive integer expressible as the sum of two positive cubes in two distinct ways.

The article then meticulously elaborates on this property, demonstrating that 1729 can be expressed as both 1³ + 12³ and 9³ + 10³. It emphasizes the significance of the word "distinct," meaning that the pairs of cubes (1, 12) and (9, 10) are different, thus excluding trivial rearrangements like 12³ + 1³.

Following this initial explanation, the article expands the concept to consider the smallest numbers expressible as the sum of two cubes in three distinct ways, denoted as Taxicab(3), then four distinct ways (Taxicab(4)), and so on. It provides these values, showcasing the rapidly increasing size of these numbers as the number of required representations grows. The article also gives the generalized mathematical notation for Taxicab(n) and explains the computational challenges in finding these numbers as 'n' increases.

Furthermore, the piece explores a related concept: the smallest number that can be expressed as the sum of two positive nth powers in two different ways. It provides examples for squares, cubes (revisiting the taxicab number), fourth powers, and fifth powers, highlighting the increasing complexity of finding such numbers. It notes how the search for these generalized "taxicab" numbers becomes computationally expensive very quickly.

Finally, the article briefly touches upon the history of the investigation into these numbers, referencing Leonard Euler's work in the 18th century. It concludes by suggesting that while 1729 might appear mundane at first glance, a deeper exploration reveals its unique mathematical properties, placing it firmly within the realm of interesting numbers.

Summary of Comments ( 3 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42782929

Hacker News users discuss the surprising mathematical properties of "cab numbers" (integers expressible as the sum of two positive cubes in two different ways), focusing on Ramanujan's famous encounter with the number 1729. Several commenters delve into the history and related mathematical concepts, including taxicab numbers of higher order and the significance of 1729 in number theory. Some explore the computational aspects of finding these numbers, referencing algorithms and code examples. Others share anecdotes about Ramanujan and discuss the inherent beauty and elegance of such mathematical discoveries. A few commenters also provide links to further reading on related topics like Fermat's Last Theorem and the sum of cubes problem.

The Hacker News post titled "Cab Numbers" links to an article exploring the mathematical concept of cab numbers, which are integers expressible as the sum of two positive cubes in two different ways. The discussion in the comments section is brief, but touches on a few interesting points related to the topic.

One commenter notes the connection between cab numbers and taxicab numbers, pointing out the Ramanujan anecdote about the number 1729 being the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways. This comment serves as a clarification for those unfamiliar with the mathematical history, reinforcing the main idea of the linked article.

Another commenter expresses appreciation for the simplicity and clarity of the explanation provided in the article, finding it more accessible than other resources they have encountered. This emphasizes the article's strength in presenting a complex mathematical concept in an understandable way.

A further comment expands on the mathematical properties of cab numbers, linking to a Wikipedia page about taxicab numbers, and mentioning generalized taxicab numbers (which consider sums of more than two cubes, and more ways of representation). This comment adds depth to the discussion, directing readers towards further exploration of the concept and its generalizations.

Finally, a short comment mentions the related concept of "taxi-cab" numbers, highlighting the subtle but crucial difference in the terms used and referring to the sequence listed in the Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences (OEIS). This contributes to the discussion by clarifying terminology and providing a readily available resource for further investigation.

While the number of comments is limited, they provide valuable context, clarification, and avenues for further exploration of the concept of cab numbers. They showcase appreciation for the linked article's clarity and contribute to a broader understanding of the topic's mathematical nuances.

Stories with Tag cognitive psychology

It is as if you were on your phone

Summary of Comments ( 10 ) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43308994

Cognitive Behaviors That Enable Self-Improving Reasoners

Summary of Comments ( 57 ) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43275193

Learning fast and accurate absolute pitch judgment in adulthood

Summary of Comments ( 4 ) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43033971

Cab Numbers

Summary of Comments ( 3 ) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42782929

Summary of Comments ( 10 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43308994

Summary of Comments ( 57 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43275193

Summary of Comments ( 4 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43033971

Summary of Comments ( 3 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42782929