“Conspiracy theorists, otherwise known as people capable of pattern recognition.”
“Pattern recognition according to IQ test designers is a key determinant of a person’s potential to think logically, verbally, numerically, and spatially. Compared to all mental abilities, pattern recognition is said to have the highest correlation with the so-called general intelligence factor” (Kurzweil, 2012). Jan 16, 2018, www.psychologytoday.com
Why the Human Brain Is So Good at Detecting Patterns | Psychology Today
According to the article in Psychology Today, “While the business of science is to search for patterns, it is the business of all of us to be pattern seekers. What distinguishes us from most of the animal kingdom is the desire to find structure in the information coming our way.”
“The talent to recognize patterns is something most people don’t know they need or realize that they already have. If we can turn data into a pattern or rule, then according to Daniel Bor, “near-magical results ensue. We no longer need to remember a mountain of data; we need to only recall one simple law” (Bor, 2012).
Our brains are an amazing machine. In Ray Kurzweil’s book, “How to Create a Mind” he states “A special layer of the brain found only in mammals is responsible. It is called the neocortex, the outermost layer of the brain. Because of its numerous folds, it accounts for 80 percent of the weight of the human brain.” According to Ray Kurzweil, the basic structure of the neocortex is organized around groups of neurons called pattern recognizers estimated to number 300 million. Over the course of a lifetime, Kurzweil proposed that these recognizers can rewire themselves to one another to account for the new visual, number, nature, word, and people patterns we learn over time (Kurzweil, 2012).
Pattern recognition can protect, instruct, and create questions. This occurs every day. Have you seen a car that is not usually in your neighborhood? A change in the location of food items in the grocery store? A gathering of people at a location? Your car is making a different noise? Did any of those situations cause you to wonder about them? That is simply pattern recognition. Things that are out of the ordinary. Something that was different. We all experience that when we pay attention. Watch for “outliers.” Maybe things don’t add up for a reason. Always question any situation you may be in. Work, school, or shopping. Things stand out for a reason.
When the information you hear does not add up and does not provide why or how – think about it. Is it all emotion? What is trying to be passed to the listeners? In the last few years, there has been a concerted effort to label many bits of news as “conspiracy theories” only to be found true later when the pressure is off a topic (deflected with purpose). Sometimes it takes a few days but larger stories can take two years for the truth to be allowed to come out. Efforts to censor the facts or falsely report/edit videos to deflect from a “hot” topic are methods used. Standard actions – Block, Deny, Censor, Label People, Cancel. This can apply to news and information from local, state, and federal government entities. Always ask why.
Observe and think. We are stewards of our thoughts. Don’t accept everything as truth until you find supporting facts, not just another article spouting the same information (circular reporting). Be a critical thinker when “something out of the ordinary” appears or causes questions. We must start thinking more than feeling. Psychology Today’s article goes on to state, ‘Over centuries of evolution, humans’ pattern recognition skills determined natural selection. Hunters skilled at spotting prey and predator and telling poisonous plants from healthy ones offered them a better chance of survival than those blind to the patterns.'” Don’t react in emotion! Think and respond!
Patterns matter! Critical thinking matters! It is a survival mechanism in our brains more powerful than computer algorithms.
