How human mind works?

In Classic Technology : "As We may Think" by Vannear Bush

" Our ineptitude in getting at the record is largely caused by the artificiality systems of indexing. Where data of any sort are placed in storage, they are filed alphabetically or numerically, and information is found (when it is) by tracing it down from subclass to subclass. It can be in only one place, unless duplicates are used; one has to have the rules as to which path will located it, and the rules are cumbersome.

The human mind does not work that way. It operates by association. With one item in its grasp, it snaps instantly to the next that is suggested by the association of thoughts, in accordance with some intricate web of trails carried by the cells of the brain.

Man cannot hope fully to duplicate this mental process artificially, but he certainly ought to be able to learn from it. In minor ways, he may even improve, for his records have relative permanency. The first idea, however, to be drawn from the analogy concerns selection. Selection by association, rather than indexing may yet be mechanised."

Footnote by webmaster