"The Journey of Human Intelligence: Tracking Users and Learning from Others"

"The Journey of Human Intelligence: Tracking Users and Learning from Others"

Introduction:
Human intelligence is a complex and fascinating subject that has evolved over time. In this article, we will explore two seemingly unrelated topics - tracking unique users and the development of human intelligence. Surprisingly, there are common points between these subjects that shed light on how humans get smarter.

Tracking Unique Users:
When it comes to tracking users, Amplitude utilizes a system of three different IDs - device ID, user ID, and Amplitude ID. The device ID is a randomly-generated UUID that persists unless the user clears their browser cookies or browses in private mode. On the other hand, the user ID is a configurable identifier that should remain unchanged to ensure Amplitude recognizes it as a unique user.

The merged user problem arises when Amplitude identifies an anonymous user with only a device ID as a recognized user with an Amplitude ID. To address this, Amplitude cross-references the list of Amplitude IDs with an internal mapping to determine if they belong to the same user. However, user IDs cannot be merged, meaning that if a new user ID is created for an existing user, Amplitude will recognize them as different unique users.

Learning from Others:
Now, let's shift our focus to the development of human intelligence. Humans have the innate ability to learn from their environment and the people around them. By observing the actions and thoughts of others, we absorb information that shapes our future decisions. What we hear, read, and experience all contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the world.

However, human intelligence does not improve on its own. We need different upbringings and experiences to keep the knowledge wheels turning. Each person responds differently to situations based on their unique brain wiring, resulting in diverse opinions and beliefs. It is through the interaction with other humans that we challenge, agree, and form our own conclusions.

Connecting the Dots:
Surprisingly, there are parallels between tracking unique users and the development of human intelligence. Just as Amplitude tracks users through different IDs, humans track their own progress by learning from their interactions with others. Both processes involve recognizing unique individuals and understanding their actions.

In the case of Amplitude, merging user IDs can lead to confusion and inaccurate data analysis. Similarly, humans need to distinguish between different perspectives and opinions to form a comprehensive understanding of the world. By acknowledging the uniqueness of individuals and their ideas, we can avoid merging them into a single, homogenous viewpoint.