Ordering alternatives

As with the Google search engine and its key words, a combination of sensory inputs to the brain may point to a variety of possible interpretations. Google applies algorithms to order the various possibilities. The brain applies a variety of different neural mechanisms.

Despite ordering the list of alternatives offered, Google can never provide the search engine user with an optimum choice among the list of results because, apart from the key words or phrases, it knows nothing about the user's prior knowledge, their exact needs or the accuracy of the information it points to. The final choice of the most appropriate information is always left to the user to apply their own judgement and knowledge to select the most suitable information for their needs.

Similarly, the brain does not make specific choices, but presents a variety of possibilities. Cognitive mechanisms are then brought into play, to do the final choosing. Both systems are fast and efficient, but have inherent limitations.

Google will select only the alternatives that correspond to the key words or phrases chosen for the search. Therefore, the presented list of alternatives will vary substantially according to which key words or phrases are chosen. Missing an important key word or phrase will result in important sources of information being ignored or placed in low positions in the list of alternatives offered.

Similarly, the brain will bring up ordered lists of alternatives - but, these may be incomplete or badly ordered if conscious or unconscious parameters are missing. This is an important consideration because human brains are not identical and their contents differ markedly. This will account for the reason why different people may react differently to the same information or situations.