It says nothing about dividing groups based on age. In face, it says:
"(The) team studied 24 normal volunteers between the ages of 55 and 76. Half were experienced at searching the Internet and the other half had no Web experience. Otherwise, the groups were similar in age, gender and education.
Both groups were asked to do Internet searches and book reading tasks while their brain activity was monitored."
It actually appears to me that the team made an effort to factor out other potential variables. Still, correlation is not causation. The next logical study would be to take another mixed group of non-internet users and do a baseline study. Measure visual cortex activity, train them to use the internet regularly, and then measure VC activity again months later.
There's a difference. A combination of evolution, tenacity, and drive are all good things - and can lead to solving near-impossible problems.
I think what the article is describing more of an illogical, blind tenacity. I believe it was Ben Franklin who said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
Slashdot Mirror
It says nothing about dividing groups based on age. In face, it says: "(The) team studied 24 normal volunteers between the ages of 55 and 76. Half were experienced at searching the Internet and the other half had no Web experience. Otherwise, the groups were similar in age, gender and education. Both groups were asked to do Internet searches and book reading tasks while their brain activity was monitored." It actually appears to me that the team made an effort to factor out other potential variables. Still, correlation is not causation. The next logical study would be to take another mixed group of non-internet users and do a baseline study. Measure visual cortex activity, train them to use the internet regularly, and then measure VC activity again months later.
/agree
There's a difference. A combination of evolution, tenacity, and drive are all good things - and can lead to solving near-impossible problems.
I think what the article is describing more of an illogical, blind tenacity. I believe it was Ben Franklin who said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
I, for one, welcome our four legged canine overlords.