You Are The Hidden Node : A Thought

In this fast-paced, ever-evolving world, where we encounter competition at every stage of life, we are increasingly seeing shifting dynamics in relationships, our behavior, and how we treat others. Often, as we move forward, we forget that we are biomechanical machines, and so are the people around us. This realization becomes even more significant as we grow less forgiving toward others and ourselves.

It might be a topic of debate: what is a human being, truly? Scientifically, we are biomechanical machines driven by chemical reactions in the brain; spiritually, perhaps a soul. Personally, I believe the most accessible and compelling explanation of the human brain and its thinking processes comes from the combined efforts of neurophysiologist Warren McCulloch and mathematician Walter Pitts. Their groundbreaking concept of the artificial neural network was first introduced in their paper, ‘A Logical Calculus of the Ideas Immanent in Nervous Activity.’

Understanding Neural Networks

To put it simply, a neural network is a vast system of interconnected nodes that work together like a function to process data. Picture a piece of clay handed to a child! Whether that clay becomes a car, a truck, a dog, or a flower depends on the child’s hands and imagination, essentially, the function they apply to the clay.

In a neural network, there are input nodes, a hidden layer (a large set of nodes with an activation function handling all internal processing), and an output node that delivers a result based on that processing. The simplest neural network might consist of just a single hidden node. Multiple inputs, each with assigned weights, feed into this hidden node, and the type of activation function it uses determines the final output.

Drawing Parallels to Human Life

If we take a moment to examine our own lives, we can see striking similarities to this system. From the moment we’re conceived, our thoughts, fears, preferences, and desires are shaped by our environment: parents, extended family, friends, and more. These influences act as inputs. Based on what we learn, we process this information and produce an output, our actions and reactions, in the world.

But what truly determines the output we give? Scientists often compare the brain to an activation function, but I believe there’s something more unique within us. How else can we explain the vastly different paths people take? For instance, consider a man who grew up watching his father come home drunk and abusive. That man might become a criminal, or a billionaire who worked tirelessly to rise above his painful past.

The Need for Reflection

As we navigate this world, there’s an increasing need to pause, reflect, and then act. We should continually evaluate how we treat our colleagues, parents, friends, and those junior to us. If each of us embraced this mindset, it could foster a better-connected world with refined thinking and natural empathy.

No one can tell us the exact nature of the “activation function” within us, but we should at least try to uncover it. Sometimes, all it takes is a deep look within ourselves.

Suraj Prasad

Engineer at Esko