*4.2.1.5 Brain is an energy seeking system*

*Connectivity and Functional Specialization in the Brain*

*4.2.1.4 Brain is a self-organizing virtual system*

different states, or facets of object

objectα

individual constituents (rotating packet vector) which is experienced as envisioning

, the barriers will resist (require energy investment in) separating A from

Models are composite 'objects,' i.e., synergistic groups of coordinated packets. For example, neuronal group 'catapult' comprises packets 'board', 'base', 'projectile' and 'target' and can be 'tuned' to different states of the composite object. A crucial point: feature space of 'catapult' has dimensionality higher than that of the constituents, rotating the 'catapult' vector (e. g, switching between states 'unloaded'➔ 'loaded' ➔ 'aimed', etc.) reflects coordinated movement of the constituent vectors (e.g., envisioning a receding target brings to mind the image of a projectile moving away from the base). **Figure 10** maps these notions on the organization depicted in **Figure 7c**.

Genetically-defined propensities in the brain substrate (gray and white matter, etc.) allow a range of self-organization trajectories, the actual developmental

*1. Successive co-activation of different neurons produces a growing associative network. 2. Associative network* 

*Phase transitions in the associative network transform it into a packet network. Selecting, mobilizing and deploying packets in the packet network populates the world with a multitude of distinct objects capable of* 

*different behavior patterns. Mental models establish coordination between behavior patterns.*

α

*manifesting states*

β *and* γ

*undergoes phase transition resulting in the formation of packet Xi , giving rise to perceiving object*

*underlie the experience of*

α

'anchor' determinations in Figure 4, e.g., once feature A has been attributed to

As a result, barriers serve the dual function of binding neurons together in stable groups and binding those groups to 'objects.' **Figure 9** illustrates these notions.

(e.g., rotating the image). Energy barriers

α.

α*. Different* 

*and behavior* 

α

*4.2.1.3 Improving deployment requires coordination of neuronal groups*

**88**

**Figure 10.**

**Figure 9.**

*patterns)*

*activation–inhibition patterns in*

β ➔ γ *and* γ ➔ β*.*

Self-organization is predicated on energy inflows sufficient for producing coordinated neuronal structures. The process is sustainable because it stabilizes energy inflows via expanding the range of extremal activities (thus diversifying energy sources) while minimizing internal energy expenditures incurred in the expansion.
