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Creative exploration as a scale-invariant search on a meaning landscape

Author

Listed:
  • Yuval Hart

    (Harvard University
    Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Hagar Goldberg

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Ella Striem-Amit

    (Harvard University
    Ben Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Avraham E. Mayo

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Lior Noy

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Uri Alon

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

Abstract

Can knowledge accumulated in systems biology on mechanisms governing cell behavior help us to elucidate cognitive processes, such as human creative search? To address this, we focus on the property of scale invariance, which allows sensory systems to adapt to environmental signals spanning orders of magnitude. For example, bacteria search for nutrients, by responding to relative changes in nutrient concentration rather than absolute levels, via a sensory mechanism termed fold-change detection (FCD). Scale invariance is prevalent in cognition, yet the specific mechanisms are mostly unknown. Here, we screen many possible dynamic equation topologies, to find that an FCD model best describes creative search dynamics. The model further predicts robustness to variations in meaning perception, in agreement with behavioral data. We thus suggest FCD as a specific mechanism for scale invariant search, connecting sensory processes of cells and cognitive processes in human.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuval Hart & Hagar Goldberg & Ella Striem-Amit & Avraham E. Mayo & Lior Noy & Uri Alon, 2018. "Creative exploration as a scale-invariant search on a meaning landscape," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07715-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07715-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Kelty-Stephen, Damian G. & Furmanek, Mariusz P. & Mangalam, Madhur, 2021. "Multifractality distinguishes reactive from proactive cascades in postural control," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).

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