We in experimental psycho-/neurolinguistics have to create something measurable (experiment) to describe something not measurable (linguistic reality). In this way, an experiment needs to quantify linguistic reality. So we need to find a way to create a complicated experiment which will be simulating/measuring a simplified reality. We need to make decisions which are very difficult to make, because they want to capture linguistic reality in the experimental material. These are the challenges we are facing every day. And we torture our minds trying to find a meaningful solution for these challenges.
Exactly there my thought problem emerges.
These challenges we have created ourselves, because we want to test reality. Test reality: oxymoron.
Basically the problem can be summarized in one sentence. Our testing methods are far to far away from reality and the ways to fill this gap might not even exist.
A rather negative thought from an otherwise positive person. Whatever. If you don't get it and care to get it, ask me. I think this could be the start of an extremely interesting discussion.
from http://xkcd.com/1163/
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