“Human are pattern-seeking animals and we are adept at finding patterns whether they exist or not” (

Reese Rose Ready

Theory of knowledge

Daun Yorke

DP1

The British English dictionary defines a pattern as ‘a particular way in which something is done or organized, or in which something happens’, however, I believe it is so much more than that. Patterns are found throughout our everyday lives in different forms, even if we don’t notice. For instance, patterns may include the repeated designs on the buildings around us, or what is found to be constant throughout our daily lives. As patterns are found everywhere around us, humans have become, unconsciously, patterns seekers. The human race has built itself with knowledge, patterns being the key to finding information through the use of applying knowledge learned beforehand to create patterns that solve the problems we would like to elucidate.

A knowledge question erupts from the topic of ‘Humans are pattern- seeking animals’ in the area of human sciences: To what extent does imagination forms patterns? In the human sciences, imagination and emotion are large factors that help determined conclusions from patterns; emotion insistent on finding the answer and imagination to open your mind up to new ideas and different perspectives. Finding patterns throughout the world can help solve an unfamiliar occurrence that may erupt an emotion that is uncomfortable, hence why we as humans can imagine different scenarios to find the answer to the questions we have to end the distraught emotion within us. For instance, if we see an unfamiliar light appearing in the sky, people react in a certain way as they are frightened by the uncertainty of the unknown. These claims of viewing ‘aliens’ in the sky have become a pattern in which has become common that it doesn’t faze most people. This is an example of how humans look for patterns to stay within our comfort zones, as most people rather stay away from the unexpected. As mentioned before, imagination plays a role in how we find and recognise patterns around us. Imagination is a powerful tool that is the first essential step in solving complex, or simple, problems. Without this extraordinary ability, nothing that we as humans have invented or solved would be accessible as we would be limited. Imagination is the key aspect of innovation and problem-solving. Additionally, the emotions we feel about certain events push us to unconsciously imagine how and why this is occurring. Though, sometimes we think we recognise a pattern where there is none. An example is having one occurrence with a city person who was rude to you. Straightaway, you have created a pattern within your brains believing that all city people act that type of way. This is a false pattern that is widely mistaken.

In the mathematics field, disproving or proving the patterns others have imagined and felt to be true is the key to the truth. A knowledge question that has emerged in this area of knowledge is: To what extent is mathematics used to prove, develop or find new knowledge? The search for these patterns has created formulas and equations that have made great discoveries that can help with real life. An example is the launching of a rocket. People had to calculate the distance, weight and force for the rocket to take off including many more variables. Rocket launching is successful due to the accuracy of the formulas and equations that people have discovered. This discovery has opened many doors to find more information (patterns) beyond earth. Another example is how people have used mathematics to create infrastructure over time, giving a clear view on how humans have used the patterns and information they have discovered to benefit them, answering the questions that have emerged over time. For instance, nowadays the architecture that is being created is more reliable and long-lasting compared to architecture in the past. Humans have able to develop on the former patterns found through formulas and equations to benefit the society and our future. This is seen in the newly built building in Shanghai, as mentioned by CNBC, Shanghai tower is the second tallest building in the world. It aims to be a model of sustainability. The skyscraper has wind turbines and has adapted sustainability to let natural light through windows to decrease the need for artificial lights. It’s been believed that the skyscraper has “reduced the building’s carbon footprint by 34,000 metric tons annually”. To create this sustainable building, they have used highly developed formulas and equations for the best possible result. This process all began with identifying the problems but also the patterns in the making of this architecture that will be needed to create a successful sustainable building. Imagination and identification of patterns have given the world hope for a sustainable future and is slowly making the world a better place. As Dominic Basult said ‘Quite simply, humans are amazing pattern-recognition machines. They have the ability to recognize many different types of patterns – and then transform these recursive probabilistic fractals into concrete, actionable steps”.

Humans pattern seeking behaviour is a natural ability that we as humans have taken for granted. This behaviour has emerged a desire to find the answers to questions that either makes us uncomfortable or just to fulfil this curiosity that burns within us from the moment we are born. Technology, theories, formulas, mistakes, and assumptions are found or created due to this unstoppable curiosity. Together with the help of our capability, we are able to broaden our development as a nation together and further explore our world through discovering more patterns in the upcoming years.

References:

“Definition of "pattern" - English Dictionary.” Pattern Definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary, dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pattern?q=patterns.

Frangoul, Anmar, and Special to CNBC.com. “Ten of the World's Most Sustainable Buildings.” CNBC, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2014, www.cnbc.com/2014/08/11/ten-of-the-worlds-most-sustainable-buildings.html?slide=5.

Johnnyzenith. “Humans and the pattern seeking brain.” TheZenith, 24 Feb. 2015, thezenithblog.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/humans-and-the-pattern-seeking-brain/.