Plugo's Theorem

Plugo's Theorem takes a highly abstracted approach to the evolution of cognitive processes, especially those separating early hominids from modern man. It divides these two sides into distinct mentalities described by one phrase each, then supplements the reasoning behind the comparison.

## History

Plugo's Theorem was written by a man named Samuel Dastasia N. Barsten Del Cadenza, who changed his name to Plugo shortly after his brother was killed by a fence. He has been questioned about this decision multiple times but says there is no relationship. At the age of 18, Plugo attended public university and minored in biology. He felt the teachings were too abstruse and failed to communicate a topic he felt was actually fairly simple. Shortly after his 3rd year of college, he drafted the first few pages of his new theorem. They were published in 2013.

He did not graduate.

## Theorem basics

Plugo supplies that primitive and advanced mentalities can be easily distinguished by two methods of operation. He claims that more instinctual creatures such as early man were dominated by a "What's that? Get that, get that!" mindset, whereas more cognizant entities maintain a "Check this out." personality. He further goes on to say that the first phrase describes the lifeform as largely instinctual, dominated by compulsion and reactionary strategy. A "What's that? Get that, get that!" mindset entails a reading of the environment and a split-second decision that is usually advantageous to survival, but can sometimes be a wrong choice.

He provides multiple examples of this claim. One example describes the behavior of a jellyfish or centipede sensing prey. First, the animal takes a reading of its surroundings. Though this activity could be misconstrued as a kind of curiosity, it is merely a desire to be aware of the surroundings, not a desire to know how or why these surroundings work. Next, the animal senses the stimulus of prey and immediately chooses to acquire it or pass it by. Sometimes this is a wrong choice, but it is done without hesitation; it is, as Plugo puts it, "decisively right or wrong." Plugo uses the expression "Get that, get that!" to remain as purposefully simplistic and ambiguous as possible, as it denotes the crude actions of crude organisms.

Next Plugo explains the nature of a "Check this out." mindset. In this case the phrase represents curiosity about one's environment, as well as a greater breadth of exploration towards stimulus. An entity with a "Check this out." approach will make an effort to stop and learn about things it does not understand, and build strategies to overcome what it sees as an obstacle in its path. The potential downside over this mindset lies in its tendency to induce hesitation. The potential for second-guessing oneself is a powerful double-edged sword that cuts down the extremes of being decisively right or wrong.

Plugo also provides examples of this behavioral type. He gives an often-used visual of dogs exploring a foreign object. These animals surround the object, edging closer and ducking back as they constantly calculate the possible nature of the object. Whether this behavior is driven by a desire for food, a desire to know the environment is safe, or a simple curiosity does not matter. It is the approach that distinguishes these animals from others. Because of this, the "Check this out." animal will have a greater ability to build a picture of its surroundings and synthesize new ideas. On the other hand, it becomes more hesitant in its approaches and does not act as quickly. A "What's that? Get that! Get that!" animal may not learn about the ball, but they may decisively understand it is useless to them and never think about it again. This is an equally useful outcome in many situations, and so Plugo does not make claims about which mindset is superior.

## Reactions

Plugo's Theorem was discussed on air in an episode of the infamous *Scorpion's Shadow*, which helped it to garner popularity. Its premise was concise and easily understood by many people without any experience in biology, and helped explain much of what they saw about animal behavior. At the same time, actual biologists disagreed with the points of the message, citing that even basic predators such as jellyfish and centipedes have simplistic risk-reward calculations and do in fact "Check this out." They also question his line of division, since some animals would seem to experience both attributes.

## Trivia

* Despite the assumptions of multiple critics, Plugo had a great deal of respect for more primitive beings and kept a pet rainforest centipede post-dropout.
* Plugo was killed by a fence in 2018
* The centipede is ok