Re: Do Data Models Need to built on a Mathematical Concept?

From: Paul Vernon <paul.vernon_at_ukk.ibmm.comm>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2003 23:17:30 +0100
Message-ID: <b983n1$56g6$1_at_gazette.almaden.ibm.com>


"Neo" <neo55592_at_hotmail.com> wrote in message news:4b45d3ad.0305050809.5522824b_at_posting.google.com...
> > > Suppose I want to be able to relate any two things
> >
> > Well, I just don't see this happening.
> > When do you *ever* need to be able to do that?
>
> Nearly all humans, in the past, now, and in the future do this
> practically every single day of their life: related things, any two
> things in various types of relations.

You think? Any two things whatsoever?

Take two animals, the first likes to relate arbitrary things together, while the second is more predisposed to link together things that are commonly related in the outside word - say boys and girls, rather than say the temperature of a rock now and the shape of a cloud seen the day before, that our first animal likes to try to relate...

Now which animal will most likely survive and reproduce in the world?

Neo, evolution is against your argument. Relating arbitary things is not how the mind works.

Can I suggest you take a look at the 'Thinking Machines' chapter of Steven Pinker's provocatively titled, but extremely good book: 'How the Mind Works'.

Regards
Paul Vernon
Business Intelligence, IBM Global Services Received on Tue May 06 2003 - 00:17:30 CEST

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