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            On Thursday we discussed the notion that when you see something/someone you recognize, there is a pattern of activity across inputs. In other words, the same input activity would be involved in recognizing your grandmother and in recognizing a tree. I find this to be a very interesting concept. This logic would suggest there is an element of “pattern matching” we undergo. Specifically, when we see a familiar object, we (specifically what, I’m not sure!) matches the incoming inputs to a previously encountered pattern of inputs. In other words, we intake “A” and realize that “A” seems familiar to a previously received “A.”

            This makes me wonder about the mechanism of actual pattern matching. Do we all pattern-match at the same speed? Could this explain why some people are very adept at remembering names/faces/people while others really struggle with it? If someone has a super fast ability to access those memories of previous inputs, they will recall the similar “A” pattern quickly and be able to rapidly identify the familiar circumstances. I am curious to learn more about this, especially if the circumstances involve multiple senses (eg a smell/sound composition or sight/smell). I have heard that people’s sense of smell and sound most rapidly bring back memories, is this because those pathways are easier to recall?

            To build on this, what happens if the inputs are similar, but not the same. Say you encounter input A’, a similar but different set of inputs to the original pattern. Again, I would imagine that some people would quickly identify this as a hybridized version or the original, while others might not notice it at all or identify it as A. (This might explain why some people are so good at noticing when someone gets a haircut or slightly modifies their appearance). As we go forward I’m curious to learn more about memory and how we recall previous experiences. I hope everyone is having a good time with their web papers!