Robittybob1

That is an easy question. The unicorns engage reverse thrust.

Hi Charon, you and I don't argue often for you are usually right, and you could be right again, yet I sense a little uncertainty above. My ex is atheist but still has a Christmas tree. The tree is nothing to do with being Christian, but is the cultural tradition. So your family or friends could gather at Christmas day for dinner (tradition here is for this to be family more so than friends) there may or may not be a tree for the presents to be placed under (another tradition). So how traditional is the celebration you are talking about? Is it a variant of the Christmas day celebration meme?

You need to be more precise. I'm also joking making my point but it is important that you be precise when it comes to statistics (Type 1 Errors must be controlled).

Surely we only need to think in those terms if there is a statistical difference in the movement of the test and control wheels. We can design an experiment looking for forces if that happened.

If I get time I'll go back and find it and see who made the suggestion.

The experiment only measures degrees of rotation and we are not testing for mechanism. EE will be doing the experiment for us, that seems different. We don't get involved with claims.

I'm just wanting him to do the experiment so I gave him a bit of encouragement. We are not saying anyone is moving it with their minds, I just want to see if the wheel they focus on moves to a greater degree than the control. How many of the failed attempts came onto Science forum first? Maybe EE is different than the others. That's a bit of a guess isn't it.

EE was after our opinion. Darryl's videos have indicated there could be a percentage greater than zero.

Were they able to reproduce under those conditions?

It is time to do the experiment and work out the percentage for real. I would say there is still a 50% chance it is real but it is up to you to prove that. Even if there is only minimal movement under the bowl, how much movement is there under the bowl when it is used as a control? You tell us, measure it. For most others here the percentage is a big fat zero.

So I thought about trees but struggled to see a selection advantage so I changed the topic to Christmas lights. But I am sure I could find a connection between the Christmas tree and the spread of genes .... it might take some time though. Google search to begin with using "Christmas tree" sexual as my search terms. What a surprise. Take Lady Gaga singing about her Christmas Tree for a starter. The idea of memes is that they can mutate and even become extinct. True the Christmas tree might not give a selective advantage today but what about in the past? Looking at the 4 images in wikipedia below this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree#North_America there seems to be a visual linkage between success, happy marriage and fecundity and that is all that a meme need do.

It is a matter whether it fits the definition "unjustifiably claiming or being credited with particular accomplishments or qualities." I have not questioned his beliefs but whether he is justified making the claims of special powers. I also object to the way EE links his so called knowledge to his ability.

Decorating houses with Christmas lights. Certainly brings the people around to your house. Does this increase the chances of finding a mate?

Does it say to the gathering "I'm looking to get married" "I'm looking for a husband"? There is something going on in the inner consciousness here. It is like putting your hand up and saying pick me.

He has made the claims on the forum as well.

I'd have to get the dictionary definition to be really certain. It seems to be covered in the second part. The Google definition: Fraudulent adjective obtained, done by, or involving deception, especially criminal deception. "fraudulent share dealing" unjustifiably claiming or being credited with particular accomplishments or qualities. "fraudulent psychics" synonyms: dishonest, cheating, swindling, corrupt, criminal, illegal, unlawful, illicit, against the law; Was that alternative your suggestion? Whoever made the suggestion when I read it I thought it rather a nightmare to operate an experiment like that. So I left it at that, but the idea of switching the apparatus from one role to the other seems to have merit as long as it wasn't done at such a high frequency. The same apparatus is used but also the alternative is being done alongside as well.

it was from memory only. Wasn't it you who suggested that the wheel was changed between control and TK every 10 minutes? Sorry if I was incorrect but I thought it was you.

My dad used to idolize his cigars too. Would we be making everything we do a meme then?

Motion

Swansont's solution was to switch from one set to the other. If the two wheels setup were not touched, and also alternated daily, (alternated from control to TK) then the effects you speak of surely will be eliminated. I keep on feeling we are getting close to setting up a simple yet effective design. I bet EE is wondering if his abilities will be exposed as fraudulent.

Humans are born at a different stage of brain development. Farm animal generally can stand within an hour or so of birth so the playing in lambs and calves we see is more like that of 5-6 year old children.

Young farm animals certainly play a lot, and you don't see the same thing in the adults.

Great topic. I think it is very important.

Give me an example please of a ritual with absolutely no function ....... please? I am wondering if the concepts of memes can be applied to animal behaviour. Birds seem to have singing/crowing competitions and that appears to be a selective activity (so we think). Roosters try to out crow each other but ultimately size counts (but they didn't seem to fight among themselves but there was a definite pecking order.) Was that mating order established during the competition of displaying their memes?

Thanks.