The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Life Sciences
  3. Physiology & Medicine
  4. What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?

  • 5 Replies
  • 5239 Views
  • 4 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline MeganM (OP)

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • 36
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 1 times
  • Naked Science Production Intern
    • View Profile
What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?
« on: 04/02/2020 08:50:24 »
Seth wants to know:

What does it mean to be hard wired? If we are truly hard wire, does it mean we cannot change?

Any thoughts?
Logged
 



Offline Colin2B

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ********
  • 6470
  • Activity:
    15%
  • Thanked: 702 times
    • View Profile
Re: What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?
« Reply #1 on: 04/02/2020 09:01:45 »
The term derives from computing where there is the option to have physical (unchanging) circuits and software (changeable).
When this terminology is applied to the brain it is usually means something which is coded in genetically eg birds navigate automatically without being taught.
Yes, if it is truly hard wired, it cannot be changed, however, it is often misapplied to some human traits which turn out to be changeable after all.
Logged
and the misguided shall lead the gullible,
the feebleminded have inherited the earth.
 

Offline vhfpmr

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 476
  • Activity:
    3.5%
  • Thanked: 38 times
    • View Profile
Re: What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?
« Reply #2 on: 04/02/2020 12:20:58 »
I think Steven Pinker hits the nail fair and square on the head: the brain must be a mix of both nature and nurture, because either of the two alternatives would be at such a disadvantage they would be unable to compete.
Logged
 

Offline SethB

  • First timers
  • *
  • 1
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Naked Science Forum Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?
« Reply #3 on: 04/02/2020 14:51:08 »
Quote from: Colin2B on 04/02/2020 09:01:45
The term derives from computing where there is the option to have physical (unchanging) circuits and software (changeable).
When this terminology is applied to the brain it is usually means something which is coded in genetically eg birds navigate automatically without being taught.
Yes, if it is truly hard wired, it cannot be changed, however, it is often misapplied to some human traits which turn out to be changeable after all.

Where did the birds get that "coding" though? How was it put there? Evolution would explain it by stating over time the birds went through trial and error, or whatever worked - stayed. But with birds, they don't have much to worry about. I once was told by a friend during a discussion that infants are "afraid" of snakes, before being taught that snakes are dangerous. But, as we grow, we can love snakes. If it were truly hard wired, why can we deviate from it? Is it epigenetics that cause the fear and thus allows us to deviate?

I don't think anything is "hard wired" it is merely what has helped us in the past helps us now (goes for any organism.) But if things were "hard wired" and cannot be changed, then evolution would stop and everything would die as the environment around begins to change.

So, my standing is "Nothing is hard wired, but simply adapted to make life easier. Therefore, everyone/everything is malleable. Beau Lotto said it best in his book "Deviate" - "Change the environment, you change the brain.""

Quote from: vhfpmr on 04/02/2020 12:20:58
I think Steven Pinker hits the nail fair and square on the head: the brain must be a mix of both nature and nurture, because either of the two alternatives would be at such a disadvantage they would be unable to compete.

I would agree with this, but I don't think anything is absolute like the term "hard wired" seems to imply. Furthermore, it allows criminals, sex offenders, etc an excuse - "Oh I'm just wired that way." I truly find that given the right circumstances, anyone can change. In addition, it gives the whole "the only way to stop someone is to kill them" when what is actually happening is lack of understanding and compassion.




PS: Megan, thanks for leading me to this! Didn't know this forum was here! :D
Logged
 

Offline evan_au

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 10687
  • Activity:
    19.5%
  • Thanked: 1349 times
    • View Profile
Re: What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?
« Reply #4 on: 04/02/2020 20:58:02 »
Quote from: SethB
But if things were "hard wired" and cannot be changed, then evolution would stop and everything would die as the environment around begins to change.
Biological/genetic evolution plays out over many generations.

Every new plant/animal/bacteria formed by sexual reproduction has a different genetic mix than any creature that lived previously. So the descendant is wired (slightly) differently from its parents.
- In fact, modelling and field studies suggest that plant and animal species using exclusively asexual reproduction are self-limiting

This is a source of inheritable genetic variation, which is the feedstock for evolution.

Most of the changes in humanity have occurred at a faster rate than can be explained by genetic evolution, especially given the relatively long lifespan of humans.
- Many changes are due to our large brains and control of machines which allows most of us to override our genetic drives
- It is a form of social evolution
- In fact, one of the goals of family, religion, education and government is to help us override these base egocentric tendencies for the good of society as a whole.
Logged
 



Offline hamdani yusuf

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 5908
  • Activity:
    85%
  • Thanked: 221 times
    • View Profile
Re: What does it mean to be "hard-wired"?
« Reply #5 on: 05/02/2020 03:08:37 »
Quote from: SethB on 04/02/2020 14:51:08
I would agree with this, but I don't think anything is absolute like the term "hard wired" seems to imply. Furthermore, it allows criminals, sex offenders, etc an excuse - "Oh I'm just wired that way." I truly find that given the right circumstances, anyone can change. In addition, it gives the whole "the only way to stop someone is to kill them" when what is actually happening is lack of understanding and compassion.
Let them use that excuse, which gives us justification to execute them to save other people. Or better, to study their brain in a lab and hoping there could be some fix for them.
Logged
Unexpected results come from false assumptions.
 



  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags: epigenetics  / genetics  / fear  / neuroscience 
 

Similar topics (5)

Whyy oh whyy does the snot have to get hard?

Started by SimulatedBoard Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 8
Views: 6923
Last post 07/11/2018 03:58:44
by Monox D. I-Fly
Why might dry thread be brittle and wet thread hard?

Started by yashrudrojuBoard General Science

Replies: 3
Views: 5031
Last post 11/10/2016 11:01:35
by Colin2B
How to turn powdered rock into hard, solid rock?

Started by bloodrockBoard Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology

Replies: 8
Views: 6351
Last post 28/12/2022 05:06:39
by wolfekeeper
Is it hard to maintain a constant weight after losing weight?

Started by EvaHBoard Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 2
Views: 1381
Last post 08/02/2021 05:05:57
by RyomaJiro7
Can Viruses or malware elude hard disk format and operating system reinstall?

Started by DrQuincyBoard Geek Speak

Replies: 6
Views: 10868
Last post 27/02/2008 16:39:58
by another_someone
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.152 seconds with 47 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.