Errors are typically followed by more cautious responses. A study now provides evidence that remarkably conserved neural dynamics underlie these post-error adjustments to behavior in rodents and humans. At the climax of the 1996 Olympic Games, the worlds eyes were on the British sprinter and defending 100m champion, Linford Christie. Christie had just false-started in the men's 100m final and was straining in the starting blocks for a second time. The starting gun sounded and then fired quickly again, recalling the runners from a second false start: Christie had leapt too early from the blocks again, this time earning himself an irrevocable disqualification from the competition. Incensed, he refused to accept the decision, remaining on the track and delaying the final for several minutes. The race was eventually won by the Canadian Donovan Bailey in a world-record time of 9.84 s.
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