BNFO 300 
Molecular Biology Through Discovery
Modes of thought
Fall 2018 

You've probably seen puzzles like the one shown below, where you're asked to put a set of pictures in a logical order. At least you may have many years ago. The skill learned by such exercises is very important, a mode of thought that helps you function in society by learning the stories held in common by society. It will help you do well on standardized exams and help you blend in with your peers when discussing controversial subjects. However, it's the wrong mode of thought for doing good science.

To get a feel for this mode of thought and its antithesis, do the following:

  1. Decide what is the expected temporal order of the four panels.
     
  2. Choose a different temporal order, according to your group (see below), presume it to be true, and find a plausible narrative consistent with that order.
An important skill in science is to look beyond the comfortable explanation and imagine as many alternatives as you can.
 
Group 1: C-D-B-A Group 4: A-B-C-D Group 7: D-A-C-B Group 10: B-C-D-A
Group 2: A-C-B-D Group 5: C-D-A-B Group 8: B-A-D-C Group 11: D-C-B-A
Group 3: B-A-C-D Group 6: A-B-D-C Group 9: D-A-B-C Group 12: C-B-D-A