How the Brain Constructs a 3D World
The world we see is a three-dimensional, tangible space, yet the fundamental particles that make up our bodies originate from one-dimensional characteristics. So, how does our brain manage to combine these one-dimensional pieces of information to construct a 3D world? This is all made possible through the collaboration of the brain as hardware and our thoughts as software.
The Brain: An 'Optimization Device' That Creates a 3D World
Physical signals from the outside world, like light or sound, are all converted into electrical signals and delivered to our brain's neural network. The colors, sounds, and spatial sensations we perceive are merely combinations of these electrical signals interpreted by our brain. The brain uses these signals to create a "Neuroverse"—a world made by our nervous system.
Our brain has an exceptional ability to reinterpret 2D information into 3D. For example, optical illusions where static pictures or 2D patterns appear three-dimensional occur because our brain is constantly adding meaning and context. The brain uses clues like shadows, light, and patterns to interpret the world with a sense of "three-dimensionality."
In this process, the brain always follows the principle of minimum energy. Interpreting the complex reality as it is would consume too much energy. Instead, the brain uses methods like simplification, clustering, and generalization to quickly and efficiently "construct" the world. The tendency to group things in sets of seven—like the colors of a rainbow or musical scales—or to memorize songs and numbers together are examples of how our brain processes information.
Look at the box below. Although it's in a fixed, unmoving position, your brain is clearly lying to you. This happens because your brain has to optimize the representation of the material world. If that box appears fixed, you should see a doctor. In other words, even if someone is telling the truth, we might only believe what we see.
A Subjective Reality and the Brain's Choice for Survival
Ultimately, the "reality" we perceive is more akin to a subjective construct created by the brain based on neural signals. Misunderstandings, biases, and worldviews all stem from the way our brain selects and interprets information. The brain acts as an optimization device that creates a simplified reality fit for survival, rather than a perfect representation of the truth.
Because of this, we might always be missing the more complex truths of the world we see. At the same time, this efficiency is what allows us to adapt to our environment quickly with minimal energy, making us a highly efficient species built for survival.