A lab rat's question

[rgrekejin]

I've noticed that a lot of people's signatures in these forums have a little passage that goes something like:

Generation #: When you first see this, add 1 to the number and put it in your signature. Social Experiment.

So... what, exactly, is a "social" experiment? What hypothesis is being tested here? Us anyone actually conducting legitimate research here, or is this just more general internet silliness? I'd actually really like to know.

[Haruki-kun]

I've noticed that a lot of people's signatures in these forums have a little passage that goes something like:

Generation #: When you first see this, add 1 to the number and put it in your signature. Social Experiment.

So... what, exactly, is a "social" experiment? What hypothesis is being tested here? Us anyone actually conducting legitimate research here, or is this just more general internet silliness? I'd actually really like to know.

It's just general Internet Silliness. Don't think too much of it.

[Arlion]

but...does it work? i mean,if two persons see the sig at the same time ....wouldnt they have the same number?

[Hazkali]

but...does it work? i mean,if two persons see the sig at the same time ....wouldnt they have the same number?

Exactly, or potentially someone could (without cheating) have a smaller generation number than someone who first got involved at a much earlier time- it's all luck as to whose signature you first see.

[Ichneumon]

Indeed, and without proper rules as to whether your seeing your own signature counts and whether or not you should lower the number when you see someone with a lower number, the experiment can't produce any reliable data at all.

[AKA_Bait]

It's just a meme disguised as science.

[Hazkali]

It's just a meme disguised as science.

No! How dare they besmirch the name of science!