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« Why do Snow and Cloud look the same | Main | Headscarf ruins a basketball game »

Entangled terminology leads to confusion

Category: Prime Stream
Posted on: January 20, 2010 6:35 AM, by Selva

"Brain 'entanglement' could explain memories"[New Scientist] is a bit of a hyperbolic title. Oh, what's in a title, you ask. Quite a lot. For instance, you can be mislead into thinking that there is a connection between quantum entanglement and the phenomenon of human memory. Aforementioned New Scientist article co-opts quantum mechanics terms for a neurological process (which is fine in itself, of course.) However, neural firing described in the article has nothing to do with quantum entanglement--this hasn't been made clear (in fact, the opposite seems to have been done with phrases like "spooky action at a distance").

Sometimes mixed terminology can lead to confusion about the fundamental scientific principles. In this case, it is best to clarify or perhaps even avoid sensationalizing the title with borrowed terms.

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