redgreenvines said:

nope
it is
A) when multiple inputs (impressions) activate neurons which link to create an association group of the activation group of neurons.
and later
B) when some similar inputs reactivate resting neurons to reawaken the whole associated pattern.

both processes are really one thing in the brain and both processes are continuous while conscious, however the brain homeostatically increases and decreases how much of A or B is going on, and how resonantly each impression is sustained.

yes a computer could simulate this, but this is nothing like what is in computers today, neither in hardware nor in software.

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