Tessellations and Identity: How Repeated Patterns Build Our Sense of Self | Amaal Kai | TEDxMVJCE

Key Concepts

• Tessellation: The act of forming a larger picture or pattern by repeating smaller, often seemingly random, elements. In this context, it refers to how our identities and realities are constructed.
• Pattern Recognition: The innate human ability to find order and meaning in seemingly random information, crucial for survival and understanding the world.
• Identity as a Mosaic: The concept that our identity is not a single entity but a collection of smaller "tiles" (habits, beliefs, experiences, stories) that, when repeated and assembled, form a larger, cohesive picture.
• Habits: Repeated actions, conscious or subconscious, that contribute to the formation of our identity and beliefs.
• Belief Systems: Repeated thoughts and narratives that become ingrained, shaping our perception and actions.
• Storytelling: The human need to create and share narratives to understand the world, express themselves, and connect with others. Stories, especially those with emotional content, are more memorable and influential than factual data.
• Shared Fictions: The human capacity to collectively agree upon and believe in abstract concepts (like money or societal norms) that enable complex social structures and cooperation.

The Human Obsession with Patterns and Tessellation

The video explores the fundamental human drive to find and create patterns, a concept termed "tessellation." This innate tendency, deeply rooted in our evolutionary need for survival and familiarity, extends beyond simple observation to actively shape our identities and realities.

The Evolutionary Basis of Pattern Recognition

From an early age, humans exhibit a "quirky habit" of finding recognizable shapes, like animals, in random stimuli such as clouds. This behavior is not merely a childhood pastime but a manifestation of the brain's fundamental wiring to "make sense of what is happening around us" and "make meaning out of nothing." Our ancestors relied on this ability for survival, as anything unfamiliar or disruptive to established patterns could signal a threat. Deviations from the norm, like an unusual bird chirp, could indicate danger, while recognizing familiar patterns provided safety and certainty.

Identity as a Tessellated Mosaic

The core argument is that human identity is akin to a mosaic, composed of individual "tiles" that are formed through repetition. These tiles are not inherent but are built through our habits, beliefs, experiences, and the stories we tell ourselves and others. Just as a single hexagon in a honeycomb is insignificant on its own, individual habits or beliefs gain meaning and contribute to the larger mosaic of identity when repeated consistently.

The Power of Habits in Shaping Identity

Habits are presented as the foundational "tiles" of our identity mosaic. Consistent daily repetition, much like a bee meticulously building a honeycomb, creates alignment within the brain. This alignment, whether conscious or subconscious, fosters growth and reinforces our sense of self. For instance, daily gym attendance, even for a short period, leads to a stronger feeling of being a "healthy person" than sporadic visits. Similarly, consistent meditation can reduce reactivity and foster a sense of calm. These habits, through repetition, subtly shape our belief systems, which in turn provide a framework for navigating the world with confidence and conviction.

The Influence of Stories and Belief Systems

Stories are identified as another crucial element in tessellating our reality. The human brain is not adept at storing information in a purely factual format; instead, it retains narratives, especially those imbued with emotion. Psychologist Dan McAllis's theory, which posits that the self is built on stories we tell about ourselves, is referenced. These stories, whether conscious self-affirmations or ingrained narratives like "I'm bad with names," become part of our identity. The emotional component of stories is key to their impact, as humans are driven by emotions, conflict, and resolution.

Belief systems are described as habits repeated to the point of becoming subconscious. The saying "the rich get richer and the poor get poor" is used as an example of a belief system that, despite lacking strong empirical backing, becomes accepted truth through repetition, potentially hindering individuals from pursuing opportunities. Personal anecdotes illustrate how ingrained beliefs, even those originating from parental conditioning, can influence behavior and perception, creating a sense of fear or caution associated with positive experiences like laughter.

Re-examining and Rebuilding Belief Systems

A significant point is made that many of our belief systems are not originally ours but are inherited from elders, media, or other external sources. The empowering aspect of this realization is that if a belief system was not inherently ours, it can be re-examined, rewritten, and rebuilt. This offers individuals the control to tailor their belief systems, which act as the "glue" holding their identity mosaic together.

The Societal Impact of Individual Tessellation

The individual mosaic of identity, while seemingly personal, has a profound impact on society. This is attributed to the human capacity to "share fictions." The collective agreement on abstract concepts like the value of money allows for complex societal structures and cooperation. Humans are unique in their ability to convince strangers to act in unison, whether for war, protest, or even to purchase expensive goods. This ability to subscribe to shared narratives and fictions is what enables human civilization to function.

Conclusion: Consciously Curating Identity

The video concludes with a call to action: to consciously curate the mosaic of our identity. By understanding that our identity is not found but created through repeated habits, stories, and beliefs, we gain the power to rework, reimagine, and redesign our reality. The speaker urges the audience to reflect on the mosaic they are currently tessellating, to identify what they are revealing, what they are believing without conscious intent, and what is keeping them on autopilot. The ultimate takeaway is that by consciously choosing the tiles that form our identity, we can actively shape the life we want to live.