@kordinglab @PessoaBrain oh boy I've got to read both pieces because I don't know how one would argue about the existence and importance of switching networks. They also don't seem at all at odds with modular networks.

Work from the extended Eve Marder universe on the Crab #STG, #Neuromodulation, and #ContextualModulation as always is useful here: In a network of just 40-ish neurons, there are clear sub circuits with clearly defined computations with cells with well defined roles. There are also neurons that belong to multiple circuits, linking them together and qualitatively changing both their and the jointly-defined circuits behavior per neuromodulation, longer timescale circuit rhythms, and behavioral/organismal context. It seems extremely unlikely to me that this is a byproduct of the particular ganglion, by far the more parsimonious interpretation is that this is fundamental to how densely connected excitable dynamical systems with diverse functional requirements work - the combinatoric computational benefits are obvious, and the empirical fact of their existence is impossible to deny.

Haven't read the piece(s) yet and would be surprised if they didn't mention this work. Can pull citations and more detailed argument when at computer. it hardly makes me an expert but Lauren Hewitt and I did a project on this at the #MBL with some #DynanicClamp #EPhys , so I already have the argument organized.