NOTE FOR (Sanitized) FROM (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP71B00185A000100020097-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 11, 2002
• Sequence Number: 97
• Publication Date: October 29, 1966
• Content Type: NOTES

Approve?For Release 2002/06/14: CIA-RDP71RSU185A000100020097-5
29 October 1966
25X1A
25X1A
Thank you very much for sending the articles by
]3iernson and MacNichol. MacNichol certainly is light on
his feet and managed to hide behind Rushton who does not
provide a very good screen.
Unhappily neither Biernson nor Rushton are arguing
over the same issue, a not uncommon thing in this field.
Bi.ernson should be commended for a thoughtful electronic
model whether it is functionally consistent with the human
visual system or not. Notice that neither Biernson nor
Rushton attempt to distinguish between a functional and an
anatomical (bionic) model. Rushton's description of the
visual process from the neurological point of view is one
which is rather commonly held but is open to serious question
as Biernson points out. My reaction is a plague on both
their uses.
copies to
I think Siernson comes out better in the controversy
than does Rushton. However, I would like to point out that
Biernson's explanation of the photo detection and feedback
process does not appear to take into account redundancy if
I understand him correctly. This is not to criticize his
model nor to say he is wrong. If he is right, however, this
lack of redundancy would be unique among the natural sensory
systems.
Th4nks again for forwarding the papers. I am sending
25X1A
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Approved For Release 2002/06/14: CIA-RDP71 B00185A000100020097-5