cognitive neuroscience Vs Who wants to be a millionaire

January 8, 2007 10:38 PM

Cognitive Neuroscience Vs Who wants to be a millionaire? "Researchers in my department, Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS), seek to understand the brain's mechanisms, including three cognitive systems that happen to be essential for a profitable performance on Millionaire: learning, memory, and decision-making."
posted by dhruva (8 comments total)

That is the equivalent to being able to count cards at a casino! Great story!
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 10:45 PM on January 8, 2007

When I was younger and taking tests I had barely studied for, I used to think "It was in my brain once, it must still be in there" and I would force myself to just dig through the vaults to find it. I always thought that was fancy storytelling of a young mind but it turns out it was very much based in neuroscience and my experiences were very similiar to his, minus the large financial reward.

Nice catch dhruva!
posted by Brainy at 1:25 AM on January 9, 2007

Btw, I think this is a great example of Warnock's Dilemma
posted by Brainy at 6:18 AM on January 9, 2007

Good read, and some interesting strategies for the next time I need to think of something I've forgotten. If I can remember them, I guess.

Take that, Warnock!
posted by longtime_lurker at 6:29 AM on January 9, 2007

Yeah, what he said.
posted by chrissyboy at 6:49 AM on January 9, 2007

I hate Neurobabble. Do you really need to be a Cognitive Scientist to know that it is a good idea in this situation to rely on memories and intuition?
posted by snownoid at 7:12 AM on January 9, 2007

Thanks for this, dhruva. Fantastic read.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 7:29 AM on January 9, 2007

Do you really need to be a Cognitive Scientist to know that it is a good idea in this situation to rely on memories and intuition?

Dude won half a million dollars. (He could have won the million - he knew the right answer but was too stressed to believe himself). Most people win nothing. I would say that there is a weak correlation between being a neuroscientist and being able to use memories effectively.
posted by GuyZero at 8:36 AM on January 9, 2007