In the case of cellular communication, this issue of the object-word problem has bothered me for a while. Quorum sensing in bacteria as well. Horizontal gene transfer could probably account for some "cultural transmission." Generational language must somehow be encoded. Ghrelin as a universal "word" for hunger in mammalian cells is my go-to example. The process by which individual cells can intrude upon the consciousness of collective self is pretty interesting.
With the peptide hormone, Ghrelin, we have this neat interplay where the signaling molecule is released by stomach-based endocrine cells into the bloodstream. Eventually the signal is strong enough to reach the brain and stimulates feelings of hunger (or via suppression, fullness). I would consider this hormonal signal to be a crude word or phrase (Empty/more). It's shouted by cells loud enough to reach our awareness. Many might not consider that to be an object-word problem. But, I thought it odd that we take normal cellular communication lines for granted. Extra cellular vesicles are even more bizarre. They're almost like Uber/Lift freight storage truckers.
If I understand what you're saying, then I totally agree. It seems like people just accept that a certain molecule has, say, a dormitive potency because it puts people to sleep. It's more like the system uses the molecule to go to sleep. I may write more about this later.
In the case of cellular communication, this issue of the object-word problem has bothered me for a while. Quorum sensing in bacteria as well. Horizontal gene transfer could probably account for some "cultural transmission." Generational language must somehow be encoded. Ghrelin as a universal "word" for hunger in mammalian cells is my go-to example. The process by which individual cells can intrude upon the consciousness of collective self is pretty interesting.
I don't know anything about that stuff, say more?
With the peptide hormone, Ghrelin, we have this neat interplay where the signaling molecule is released by stomach-based endocrine cells into the bloodstream. Eventually the signal is strong enough to reach the brain and stimulates feelings of hunger (or via suppression, fullness). I would consider this hormonal signal to be a crude word or phrase (Empty/more). It's shouted by cells loud enough to reach our awareness. Many might not consider that to be an object-word problem. But, I thought it odd that we take normal cellular communication lines for granted. Extra cellular vesicles are even more bizarre. They're almost like Uber/Lift freight storage truckers.
If I understand what you're saying, then I totally agree. It seems like people just accept that a certain molecule has, say, a dormitive potency because it puts people to sleep. It's more like the system uses the molecule to go to sleep. I may write more about this later.