Single Molecule Determines Complex Behavior, Say Scientists
February 10, 2013 9:52 PM   Subscribe

 
Yep, that about summarizes 90% of molecular biology these days. Everyone wants to be famous.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:57 PM on February 10, 2013




Yeah. I'm going with tetrahydracannabinol, and it's friendly cousins.

sign me up.
posted by mule98J at 10:23 PM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]


I am very pleased to discover that I am not responsible for my own behavior. That makes everything easier.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 10:24 PM on February 10, 2013


Oh, it's not just one particular behavior...
posted by twsf at 10:33 PM on February 10, 2013


Scooped again! And I've been conducting this ethanol experiment for over 10 years!
posted by Llama-Lime at 10:35 PM on February 10, 2013 [4 favorites]


The sad thing is how well this compares to most science reporting. It's hard for a thoughtful person to imitate a thoughtless one, or an informed person to pretend to be ill-informed: the result lacks the wonderful little accidental loopy details of the truly out-of-their-depth and has to substitute a few large and obvious fallacies for the more authentic menagerie of inimitably peculiar little ones.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:46 PM on February 10, 2013 [3 favorites]


Do these molecules have cat ions?
posted by BlueHorse at 11:01 PM on February 10, 2013 [2 favorites]


Yes, and they're really cute.
posted by carping demon at 11:32 PM on February 10, 2013


Unfortunately it causes cancer, but on the upside it also prevents it.
posted by Segundus at 12:55 AM on February 11, 2013 [3 favorites]


The recent MetaFilter discussion on lead and crime is relevant: people were resisting the idea that lead could affect behaviour because it was too simple...
posted by alasdair at 2:32 AM on February 11, 2013


In a groundbreaking new study, scientists at Some University

Some University? Good old SU. Or is more like when people say they've had "some college."
posted by three blind mice at 2:35 AM on February 11, 2013




The sad thing is how well this compares to most science reporting.

I...I didn't realize it was a joke until I read the comments here. That's how low my expectations have become.

*weeps*
posted by Dr.Enormous at 5:11 AM on February 11, 2013 [4 favorites]


The recent MetaFilter discussion on lead and crime is relevant: people were resisting the idea that lead could affect behaviour because it was too simple...

Not really. The epidemiology in the lead hypothesis is far more developed than the kind of science article this is lampooning.

This is great!
posted by OmieWise at 5:23 AM on February 11, 2013


I totally blame oxytocin for the cat videos.
posted by localroger at 5:35 AM on February 11, 2013 [1 favorite]


I prefer to think my complex behavior comes from a little man in my head manning the controls.
posted by mccarty.tim at 5:50 AM on February 11, 2013 [1 favorite]


Is that single molecule deoxyribonucleic acid?
posted by Buckt at 6:39 AM on February 11, 2013 [1 favorite]


Yeah, must be. Also, Other scientists agree, at least when quoted selectively.
posted by Buckt at 6:47 AM on February 11, 2013


After watching my wife go through grad school and a post doc, one thing I've learned is that anyone who adamantly refers to themselves as "doctor" or constantly sticks a PhD after their name regardless of context is usually too full of themselves to be worth listening to.
posted by slogger at 8:41 AM on February 11, 2013


I have actually documented the link between testosterone and carpentry. Everything I see looks like a nail.

Wait...that was the cannabinol experiment.

Let me get back to you on this. Maybe in the morning.
posted by mule98J at 5:21 PM on February 11, 2013 [1 favorite]




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