The problem with networks is that as activity spreads, more and more things turn on, which can lead to paralysis or interference that stops the network from functioning. Cross-exclusion is one method that could be used to solve this problem; Minsky suggests others (conservation, negative feedback, censors and supporessors). "These methods are simple enough to be applied inside small societies, but they are not versatile enough to solve all the management difficulties that can arise in the more complex societies we need for learning to solve harder problems."
(NB: Theme here is focussing upon a particular control problem, self-regulation. Whas this theme also a key issue that motivated Grossberg's work?)
Pearl Street | Society Of Mind Home Page | Dawson Home Page |