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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: General Battuta on December 15, 2010, 08:08:04 pm

Title: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: General Battuta on December 15, 2010, 08:08:04 pm
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/30/50/17063 (http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/30/50/17063)

This type of skill learning and possible neural plasticity was the bread and butter work of a lot of the labs in my undergrad department.


This is also why psychological care is so critical for combat pilots. Cognitive control is one of the first faculties to break down under persistent environmental stress, and with decision latencies in the milliseconds, pilots need to be kept sharp to function.
Title: Re: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: Dilmah G on December 15, 2010, 08:50:52 pm
Hmm, interesting.

Makes you wonder how they did it in the Battle of Britain, with four+ sorties a day, sometimes without even a proper meal in the morning or a good night's sleep.
Title: Re: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: General Battuta on December 15, 2010, 08:59:07 pm
Humans are remarkably resilient to duress under the appropriate circumstances. British people in particular.


I have zero doubt, however, that performance degraded under those conditions.
Title: Re: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: IronBeer on December 16, 2010, 01:10:29 am
Interesting stuff. Prolly one of the more readable abstracts I've seen lately.
Title: Re: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: BloodEagle on December 16, 2010, 11:18:03 am
Humans are remarkably resilient to duress under the appropriate circumstances. British people in particular.

Elaborate.
Title: Re: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: General Battuta on December 16, 2010, 11:22:50 am
Humans are remarkably resilient to duress under the appropriate circumstances. British people in particular.

Elaborate.

Good show, old sport!
Title: Re: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: Mongoose on December 16, 2010, 11:54:21 am
Quite, quite.
Title: Re: Brain of a combat pilot
Post by: Dilmah G on December 16, 2010, 12:00:56 pm
Humans are remarkably resilient to duress under the appropriate circumstances. British people in particular.

Elaborate.
Whilst not specific to English people, I'd say that if a country tried to invade mine and I was flying to defend mum, dad, sister, girlfriend and my mates, a bit of cold showering and lack of breakfast wouldn't stop me giving any douche who thinks he or she can invade my country what for four or so times a day.

Especially when you'd be going home to see mum, dad, sister and girlfriend after having faced hell with your mates. Helps to give one that 'extra push' when it seems to be going down the drain as well, I'd suppose.