What are your favorite examples of distributed processes? Debatable examples are fine. (I'm thinking mainly of neuroscience, but examples from other fields are welcome.)
And I'd love examples of computational models that are described as performing distributed processing.
@DrYohanJohn isn't everything the brain does a distributed process? (I'm serious, not being flippant.)
That's a very fair position! But there are some neuroscientists who seem to feel quite strongly about locationist explanations?
@DrYohanJohn indeed there are. 🤷♂️
I think it depends what we mean by distributed. One definition is that if multiple elements/regions are necessary for a function then the function is distributed across those regions. Another (almost opposite definition) is that a function is distributed only if there are no single area lesions than can disrupt the behaviour.
For the first definition, the example that @NicoleCRust from the Svoboda++ group fits.
For the latter definition.... there are behaviors (like reversal learning of a smell-taste association) that are distributed across the hemispheres, so you need to do crossed lesions to disrupt the behaviour (see work from Gallagher and Holland)
@jerlich @neuralreckoning @NicoleCRust
Good point!