Re: HC selectivity ... was Re: Physiological models of cochlea activity - alternatives to the travelling wave

[Martin Braun <nombraun@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Laszlo and others,

thank you for taking up this issue. It is highly topical. In cochlear 
mechanics much more so than anywhere else in hearing science.

As to Wikipedia, it is today much more detailed and specific than you 
suggested. There is a particular article on Scientific Modeling

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_modelling

It contains some interesting sentences already in the summary:

"The professional modeller brings special skills and techniques to bear in 
order to produce results that are insightful, reliable, and useful. These 
techniques such as sophisticated statistical methods, computer simulation, 
systems identification, and sensitivity analysis are valuable tools. They 
however are not as important as the ability to understand the underlying 
dynamics of a complex system. These insights are needed to assess whether 
the assumptions of a model are correct and complete. The modeller must be 
able to recognise whether a model reflects reality, and to identify and deal 
with divergences between theory and data."

I would like to emphasize this section:

"They however are not as important as the ability to understand the 
underlying dynamics of a complex system. These insights are needed to assess 
whether the assumptions of a model are correct and complete."

In other words: Models are slaves, not masters.

Hear, hear ..........

Martin

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Martin Braun
Neuroscience of Music
S-671 95 Klässbol
Sweden
web site: http://w1.570.telia.com/~u57011259/index.htm