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| | ==Explanation== | | ==Explanation== |
| − | This comic is a joke about the psychological theory that animals conditioned using seemingly random rewards and punishments promotes superstitious behavior, and then extrapolates this theory to humans and Wi-Fi or (more likely) Cellular signal integrity.
| + | {{incomplete|Initial explanation - could likely use some work.}} |
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| − | Often when connecting to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks or when in a poorly covered area of a cell network, the signal displayed by the connecting device varies wildly, especially as distance increases. Poor wireless signal and drops in connection can be extremely frustrating, and hence [[Cueball]] has likely tried a variety of methods to improve the signal. As a result of his desperation, he replicates scenarios that are unlikely methods to increase his signal, but in some way mirror conditions where he has been successful finding a signal in the past. His past conditions have somehow led him to having the superstition that holding a pineapple while standing on top of a chair may resolve the problem. Likely, the signal increased at random while he was standing on a chair holding the pineapple, and he erroneously concluded that the chair and pineapple ''caused'' the signal strength increase. It is almost inconceivable that this technique could have any positive effect on the signal. This is related to the idea in comic [[552: Correlation]]. See also the much later [[2259: Networking Problems]]. | + | Often when connecting to unfamiliar wi-fi networks, the signal displayed by the connecting device varies wildly, especially as distance increases. In this case, to improve the signal, Cueball has likely tried a variety of methods, and has ended up holding a pineapple while standing on top of a chair in order to get a perceived better signal. Standing on the chair ''might'' help (especially if the router is on a different floor of the building, although getting laterally closer to the router would undoubtedly help more), but it is almost inconceivable that the pineapple could have any effect on the signal. Megan questions his ridiculous behavior, but it seems Cueball has been driven nearly to madness due to the inconsistent signal strength. |
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| − | [[Megan]] questions his ridiculous behavior, but it seems Cueball has become extremely erratic due to the inconsistent signal strength.
| + | The title text refers to a new study that apparently examined the behavior of rats in response to signal strength on a cellphone. However, the rats naturally could not understand the concept of signal strength, so they chewed up the cellphone, leading to the research supervisors questioning the validity of the study and questioning whether the grant money for the study was well used. The research team, therefore, seems to have focused their publication not on the rats' behavior under the conditions of the experiment, but on the behavior of research supervisors. |
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| − | The title text refers to a fictive study that apparently examined the behavior of rats in response to signal strength on a cellphone. It is a reference to {{w|B. F. Skinner}}'s [[#Skinner's real experiment|experiments]]. In these experiments, rats and, more frequently cited, pigeons are taught superstitious behavior by being rewarded at random intervals. In this new experiment the rats naturally could not understand the concept of signal strength, so they chewed up the cellphone till they broke, leading to the research supervisors questioning the validity of the study and questioning whether the grant money for the study was well used. | |
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| − | ===Skinner's real experiment===
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| − | Skinner placed a series of hungry pigeons in a cage attached to an automatic mechanism that delivered food to the pigeon "at regular intervals with no reference whatsoever to the bird's behavior." He discovered that the pigeons associated the delivery of the food with whatever chance actions they had been performing as it was delivered, and that they subsequently continued to perform these same actions.
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| − | One bird was conditioned to turn counter-clockwise about the cage, making two or three turns between reinforcements. Another repeatedly thrust its head into one of the upper corners of the cage. A third developed a 'tossing' response, as if placing its head beneath an invisible bar and lifting it repeatedly. Two birds developed a pendulum motion of the head and body, in which the head was extended forward and swung from right to left with a sharp movement followed by a somewhat slower return. Skinner suggested that the pigeons behaved as if they were influencing the automatic mechanism with their "rituals" and that this experiment shed light on human behavior.
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| − | See this [https://youtu.be/BR-eMMCp7tg Mind Field episode] where this experiment has been performed on humans!
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| | ==Transcript== | | ==Transcript== |
| − | :[Megan is looking up at Cueball who is standing on a chair facing away from her. He is holding a pineapple at breast height in his right hand while he is looking up at his smartphone, which he is holding up above head height in his left hand.]
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| | :Megan: Why are you standing on a chair holding a pineapple? | | :Megan: Why are you standing on a chair holding a pineapple? |
| − | :Cueball: '''''I wasn't getting good reception but now I am!''''' | + | :Cueball: I wasn't getting good reception, but now I am! |
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| − | :[Caption below the panel:]
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| | :The erratic feedback from a randomly-varying wireless signal can make you crazy. | | :The erratic feedback from a randomly-varying wireless signal can make you crazy. |
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| | {{comic discussion}} | | {{comic discussion}} |
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| − | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
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| − | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
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| − | [[Category:Phones]]
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| − | [[Category:Food]]
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| − | [[Category:Scientific research]]
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