Eat my thoughts
I've got a theory:
Humans are excellent at recognizing patterns and related sequences of events. This applies to virtually every kind of pattern (or sequence of events)--everything from symbols that make up letters that make up words, to splashes of color that make up an image to a series of related events occuring chronologically. (By contrast, it's very complicated to get computers to do good pattern recognition.) Humans are so good at it, they can often do it without conscious thought. It would not be possible to make sense out of the chaos in front of your eyes without this most-basic skill. In fact, one might say that pattern recognition is the single largest, most important function of the brain. You're a great big pattern recognition engine and you didn't even know it. You're recognizing patterns right now. And now. And now. (that last sequence is known as repetition) (and this one's called recursion)
Unfortunately, humans are so good at pattern recogition that when they're confronted with a situation in which there is no true, meaningful pattern, their brains will often impose one anyway. This, I believe is one of the primary mechanisms behind everything from psychic predictions that turn out to be true to finding Jesus in a cloud formation to the face on Mars to synchronicity to conspiracy theories.
Ever since I developed this theory, I have had many, many examples in my own personal life experiences that prove it to be true. Sadly (or perhaps humorously), if the theory really is correct, then the theory itself seriously undermines my attempts to gather evidence in support of it. Make of that what you will.
Humans are excellent at recognizing patterns and related sequences of events. This applies to virtually every kind of pattern (or sequence of events)--everything from symbols that make up letters that make up words, to splashes of color that make up an image to a series of related events occuring chronologically. (By contrast, it's very complicated to get computers to do good pattern recognition.) Humans are so good at it, they can often do it without conscious thought. It would not be possible to make sense out of the chaos in front of your eyes without this most-basic skill. In fact, one might say that pattern recognition is the single largest, most important function of the brain. You're a great big pattern recognition engine and you didn't even know it. You're recognizing patterns right now. And now. And now. (that last sequence is known as repetition) (and this one's called recursion)
Unfortunately, humans are so good at pattern recogition that when they're confronted with a situation in which there is no true, meaningful pattern, their brains will often impose one anyway. This, I believe is one of the primary mechanisms behind everything from psychic predictions that turn out to be true to finding Jesus in a cloud formation to the face on Mars to synchronicity to conspiracy theories.
Ever since I developed this theory, I have had many, many examples in my own personal life experiences that prove it to be true. Sadly (or perhaps humorously), if the theory really is correct, then the theory itself seriously undermines my attempts to gather evidence in support of it. Make of that what you will.