Noise matters : the evolution of communication /
R. Haven Wiley.
- 1 online resource (xi, 502 pages) : illustrations
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Introduction -- Part One. Noise and Ways to Reduce it. 1. Noise and signals introduced ; 2. Producing acoustic signals in noise ; 3. Receiving acoustic signals in noise ; 4. Transmission of acoustic signals ; 5. Adaptations to noise in different environments ; 6. Reducing noise, enhancing performance -- Part Two. Evolution of Signalers and Receivers. 7. Signals, receivers, and evolution ; 8. Optimal receivers and signalers ; 9. Payoffs for participants ; 10. Joint optima for signalers and receivers ; 11. Evaluation and extension of the model -- Part Three. Altered Perspectives. 12. Honesty in communication ; 13. Sexual selection as communication ; 14. Cooperation by communication ; 15. Complex societies ; 16. Molecular signals -- Part Four. Far Horizons. 17. Human communication ; 18. Truth in language ; 19. Subjectivity ; 20. Verification -- Conclusion.
We think of noise as background sound that interferes with our ability to hear more interesting sounds. But noise is anything that interferes with the reception of signals of any sort. Whatever its cause, the consequence of noise is error by receivers, and these errors are the key to understanding how noise shapes the evolution of communication.