Re: RE: Mosquito or no-see-em?

[Bob Gorman <bgorman@xxxx>]

At 11:11 AM 9/10/2001, Gary wrote:
> This is interesting and obviously captures a better movement and 
> helps eliminate the bug of slipping through the barrier. As a poor 
> biologist, however, I am a little concerned that some of the refinements 
> are not exactly mosquito like. I am well aware that most of the people 
> on the list are more interested in the computers behavior, but I feel I 
> must speak on behalf of the organism.

I am definitely more interested in people behavior than computer (really 
software) behavior. Since people created computers & software it is likely 
they will create in their own image. But the analogy can easily be taken 
too far. However, the attempt to model living behavior is to me the 
greatest benefit, since we are forced by the computers lack of background 
knowledge to be very, very specific, thus causing us to ask ourselves 
questions we might otherwise not ask ourselves.

It is a very power thinking technique to expose children to.

> For example, there is some evidence that mosquitoes DO move very 
> randomly, at least until they are quite close to a host. Secondly, as we 
> add refinements that make the program run better, I wonder if we are 
> exceeding the decision making capacity of the organism. These are 
> animals of very little brain (probably even less than Pooh Bear). Third, 
> there are a number of varibales that we are not considering, like 
> multiple sources, alternative energy sources, or weather 
> conditions. Lasty, when confronted with a barrier such as window screen, 
> mosquitoes DO occassionally find a way through. (It is almost like magic).

People also occasionally find or create ways through barriers.
Even plants are not stopped by concrete.
The spirit or motivating force in all living creatures seems greater than 
physical barriers.

Bob

P.S.
Gary, while searching for better mind mapping software, I found some 
references I thought you might find useful:

The first is a book I found on Amazon:
Mapping Biology Knowledge (Science & Technology
Education Library Volume 11)
by Kathleen M. Fisher, et al (Hardcover)
Average Customer Review:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Lee Say Keng's comments:
With understanding biology as background, it has very powerful stuff. It 
pushes visual
thinking to the highest order. Well researched and illustrated. One of my 
favourites!
Our Price: $98.00

An interesting pointer that deals with perception:
Dr James Wandersee, even though biology is not my cup of tea. By chance, I
"strayed" into his web-site, aptly called The 15 Degree Laboratory Among 
the tools and techniques they recommend are: SemNet software, concept maps 
and concept circles. The authors provide step-by-step directions for 
implementing these tools in classrooms, multiple examples of ways they can 
be useful, and insightful suggestions for teachers, students and others.

15 Degree Laboratory - A Visual Cognition R&D Laboratory for 
Improving Biological and Botanical
Learning via Visual Prob

A Visual Cognition R&D Laboratory for Improving Biological and 
Botanical Learning via Visual Probes,
Templates, and Filters.
www.15degreelab.com

Another very interesting pointer:
Biology Lessons: SemNet Download Page
H. Download SemNets Download SemNet Software and Related Learning 
materials Download Lesson
SemNets Available to you at this site are the SemNet(c) 1.1 beta 14 
knowledge mapping software and
user's guide, and various related files which are
www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu


"To create New Answers; you must ask New Questions."
- Bob Gorman
http://www.kncell.org