Intuition and computer models

Abstract

Models of pattern-generating cellular sheets were devised to gain insight into the origin of patterns in embryogenesis. Students, many of whom had no previous experience with computers, worked with these models to test the effect of various assumptions. A number of discoveries of possible biological importance were made, but an unexpected discovery was the usefulness of human intuition. When the computer and its program made user interaction easy, the user “played” the model as one might play an arcade game. The model's capabilities and limits were grasped intuitively. Later, analysis led us to new assumptions and new models. Thus the work progressed quite effectively with alternating intuition and cerebration. Microcomputers are particularly effective in this method of research.