Apophenia: Order in Disorder?
Apophenia: Order in Disorder? I'm sure we have all seen objects and faces on clouds. Have you ever seen a person's face on toasted bread? Or recognised two seconds of melody from a song similar to another one? Did you ever find yourself imagining cars having faces? That's pareidolia, a type of apophenia describing the proclivity of our brains to interpret something meaningful in random day to day objects we see. It's the ability to make out shapes, figures, faces and patterns out of seemingly random things. It’s a testament to our minds’ unstopping quest for meaning , even amidst the chaos. But what drives this seemingly irrational behaviour, and what does it reveal about our nature? Is everything around you a sign? A pattern? Or is this the psychological syndrome of finding order in disorder? ----- At its core, apophenia is about the human need for order. Our brains are hardwired to detect patterns—a skill that has undoubtedly served our ancestors well in the w...