Creating a test could help establish a sense of 'self'
Continuing Conor Feehly’s interesting points in his article “What makes a mind?”, I would propose that “agency” isn’t an adequate definition of “self”. As Feehly points out, the concept of agency is complicated because comprehensive, inanimate systems can make complex decisions based on novel input. But we don’t attribute agency to neural network software programs. Nor does science attribute agency to evolution, which is driven by natural selection (14 February, p 32).
A test that established an entity had a sense of “self”, separating it from the environment, would be useful. The mirror test, where an animal recognises itself, would be a good example. But pets don’t normally pass this test, and my friends insist that pets not only have a well-established sense of self, but can also be incredibly manipulative. Continuing into the insect world, bees can lead other bees to a novel source of food, so should they be included in having a sense of self?
What can communication tell us about civilisation?
I see that researchers have dismissed the likelihood of an advanced civilisation on planet K2-18b because no radio waves have been detected. This seems to be a narrow-minded approach. The earliest known civilisation on Earth was that of the Sumerians over 5000 years ago, and we can hardly call the ancient Egyptians and Greeks uncivilised. Radio waves, however, were first produced only some 140 years ago, and so can hardly be considered a sign of civilisation. It seems a little premature to consider these to be the last word in communication methods (28 February, p 11). In 1000 years’ time, who knows what we’ll be using?
Beware of gadgets near the bedroom
The comment in your Leader that “The sleep industry, for one, could reorientate itself around helping people… understand that they are getting more and better sleep than they realise” seems naive: why would an industry that monetises our worries about poor sleep try to reassure us in this way? The closing paragraph of another article in the same issue, “Dream hacking helps people solve problems in their sleep”, sums up the more likely dystopian future where dream engineering could “… be hijacked by companies taking out advertisements on at-home devices” (28 February, p 3). I, for one, will not be allowing gadgets near my bedroom!
Recognising postnatal depression in fathers
Isabel Woodford’s article on postnatal depression (PND) in fathers struck a chord with me. When my children were born in the early 1980s, PND wasn’t recognised as a paternal issue. I don’t recall feeling depressed myself, merely always tired, yet I was expected back at work the next day. Today, fathers are far more involved and benefit from statutory paternity leave, which has been shown to reduce maternal PND (21 February, p 38).
However, this deeper involvement exposes fathers to the same sleep deprivation and financial pressures as mothers. These shared triggers, combined with evolving social expectations and improved clinical detection, mean PND is rightly becoming more recognised as a problem for men.
Why small efforts aren't just a nice-to-have
I was interested to read Ben Craven’s letter concerning Paul Whitely’s essay about the value of small changes in averting the climate crisis. Craven states that if every person and business in the world reduced their energy consumption by 1 per cent, the global decrease would be only 1 per cent, and we must therefore not become complacent about the need to do difficult things. I think Craven misses an important factor: human enterprise is highly nonlinear, and so its behaviour often comprises sensitive feedback loops. If each person and business in the world had no knowledge of the climate-mitigation efforts of anyone else, his conclusion might be correct, but 100 people aware of small efforts made by 100 others might well incentivise them to redouble their own efforts. Small efforts aren’t just a nice-to-have; they are essential (Letters, 31 January).
Solving the mystery of Stone Age seafarers (1)
Keith Pearce wonders whether seafaring was developed as rising water levels submerged an accustomed overland journey. I understand that Indigenous Australian accounts of journeys between what is now Tasmania and mainland Australia recognisably depict the seabed configuration of the Bass Strait. If the dates are appropriate, this suggests a land crossing to Tasmania (Letters, 21 February).
Solving the mystery of Stone Age seafarers (2)
I have read your correspondence about this article and think that both the article and these letters miss a couple of important points. During the last glacial period, there were land bridges between Sicily and Malta and Gozo, which would have established the knowledge and the route. Secondly, the distance from Sicily to Malta is irrelevant. What is important is at what point a fisher, fishing off Sicily, would be able to see the highest point of Malta, or birds flying over it, and still be confident about finding their way back to Sicily. I think it is very far-fetched to imagine that Stone Age seafarers would have set out over the horizon to seek new territory without foreknowledge.
How to function after a poor night's sleep
Regarding your article about overcoming tiredness, after a distressing life event in 1995, my GP asked me if I needed sleeping tablets. I replied that I was getting very little sleep, but I had read an article in 快猫短视频 that said that students were found to do equally well in exams if they had slept badly compared with if they had slept well. I would just remind myself of this article while at work following a poor night’s sleep, and tell myself that I could function perfectly well. It seemed to work (28 February, p 30).
For the record
Just one or two bad nights’ rest can increase our reaction times (28 February, p 30)