Why Relational N-Back Is Different — And Why the Surface Format Matters
A 2025 EEG microstate study showed that a relational integration version of the n‑back, which tracks structural changes rather than item identity, increased frontoparietal resting‑state activity linked to fluid intelligence. The experiment involved 57 participants training for a month and revealed clear neural reorganization despite modest behavioural gains on the Sandia Matrices. The authors argue that the relational focus targets a domain‑general network, offering a mechanistic explanation for why some cognitive‑training designs may achieve far transfer. The post extrapolates these findings to suggest cross‑modality training as a path to deeper, transferable reasoning skills.
The Gf-Gc Loop Protocol: How to Augment Intelligence Using AI. [Part 1]
The author presents the ORSAR protocol, a five‑step framework for human‑led AI interaction that moves problems through pre‑analysis, framing, stress‑testing, metacognitive auditing, and knowledge consolidation. Each stage deliberately limits AI’s role to sharpen uncertainties, generate productive friction, and extract reusable...