DNS Experiment

I took part in an fMRI study by the Duke Neurogenetics Study. They were studying the relationship among genes, brains, and behavior. Specifically, they were looking for how brain pathways shape how we react to our environments.

Prior to the experiment, I was required to fill out a form so they could determine my eligibility to participate in the study. I had to answer no for a bunch of questions such as if I had a pacemaker, if I had any metal fragments in my body, etc. The experiment itself was very boring. They made me go tasks with a lot of repetitions. I can understand why people can feel claustrophobic in the machine. There isn't much space and it is extremely loud. There are also plenty of noises in the background like fans blowing.

Afterwards, I agreed to give them a blood and saliva sample. They told me that they will analyze my DNA sample later and that it will be shared with other researchers.

Overall, I wouldn't say it was the best experience I've ever had... but I did get paid. So not too bad.

Little Toto

I remember meeting my friend’s dog Toto. She was a tiny terrier. She barked at me pretty furiously when we first met, so I assumed she either didn’t like strangers, or she didn’t like me in particular.

After staying at my friend’s house for some time, Toto gradually grew accustomed to me. Instead she would circle me and sniff around my legs. Sometimes she would approach me cautiously. Soon, she let me scratch behind her ears, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Toto would even jump onto my lap and snuggle there while I scratched her.

As I spent more time with Toto, I noticed certain habits she had. Whenever the doorbell rings, she would jump up and start to bark in the direction of the front door. However, this seemed to be a conditioned response. The source of the doorbell sound was nowhere near the location of the front door. Toto must have learned that the door usually opens when the doorbell sounds.

I also noticed that she tended to bark at anything that startles her, such as a cuckoo clock. She isn’t scared of the sounds, which suggests that her owners are protective of her. She is very sheltered living in a house, so the natural fight or flight response she has probably decayed over time. There’s less of a need for survival instinct because everything is handed to her.

My Favorite Philosopher

Confucius is hands down, my favorite philosopher. I admire the way he revolutionized Chinese politics, education, and attitudes. He was so influential that the emperor himself decided to implement Confucius' teachings as national policy. Confucius was so wise that his teachings had even spread to Western culture.

I learned about Confucius through my parents repeatedly showing me historical videos of his influence in China. His teachings of piety, loyalty, and etiquette were well respected to the extent that even the emperor would abide to them. He affirmed the need of a virtuous leader with moral integrity who will shift the country towards good.

"If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself."

My Favorite Game

The economic game that I find most interesting is the trust game. I find it fascinating how easily people's trust can be swayed based on subtle information. It also shows how quickly people can judge others when all they know about them is a tiny bit of information about them. It can also reveal innate discrimination within individuals, whether it's racial, gender, or others, especially when paired with an fMRI.

I also think it's amusing that you can throw in a punishment aspect to the game. It's interesting to see how a participant's decisions can change when given such a power to punish others. I think it can partially reveal the innate natures of people, whether they are naturally generous or greedy people. Also, also enjoy the trust game because it is so easily manipulated. With larger sums of money, are people more or less ready to invest in someone else given a certain level of trust?