Re: integer detectors and slugs

Carl stated :
>
> ...The only hypothesis I know of that can explain all three
> without going to fantastic lengths is that of an "integer
> detector", and it seems plausible the evolution of such a
> skill could have increased the fitness of early man by
> helping him distinguish a language cast in human voices
> (with harmonic spectra).
>

I go along with this wholeheartedly. And its not just humans,
all animals with vocal chords have some sort of communication
that is based on a harmonic instrument. A way of decoding the
information from such sounds would seem to also want to have
special aparattus for 'ripping' harmonic sounds. I know that
'makes sense' is not the same as scientific evidence, but...

Regarding those fascinating animals with the little brains...
A line I remember with fondness from an aquarium visit was,
"because the pink sea slug is both male and female and canibal,
when two meat on the ocean floor, the possibilities are endless".

I did some computer music research with neural nets and was
very adept at creating creatures who, no matter what the input
stimulous, could find the most boring note and repeat it over
and over. I guess its an attitude thing, maybe if I'd just
listened to it another couple of hours...

Bob Valentine