Pattern Recognition (1)

We can learn information from a book, teacher, or other source, but it is impossible to learn a skill this way. Books provide facts, but a skill is practiced and requires application. When does mastery of information lead to skill competence? In a sense, a person’s skill in a discipline can be thought of as their ability to recognize patterns.

Whether in music or mathematics, pattern recognition is itself a skill that requires practice–but the repetition of this practice yields mastery of the subject. A book can teach a person the rudimentary skills of playing the guitar, but it cannot teach them how to make music–as the guitarist learns to recognize musical patterns, though, they will develop the ability to do so.

Our talents and successes reflect the patterns in life we each find significant.