Time plays an important role
in our recognition of patterns,
primarily because the mind needs
time to recognize the regularities
and similarities of the patterns it
encounters. Some patterns are easily
recognized and take very little time –
a chessboard is at first glance a simple
square with alternating black and
white squares within it, and as players
develop expertise they begin to
understand, choose and create more
elaborate patterns in how the pieces
are played on the board. Likewise, a
metronome aids beginning musicians
with a simple rhythmic pattern, and as
musicians develop more fluency with
musical patterns they can recognize,
replicate, and create more complex
patterns with notes, tones, tempo,
volume and sound. More complex
patterns in nature can take a long
time to recognize and appreciate, such
as the spawning pattern of certain
species of cicadas, which can take
years between events and shift in
intervals to confuse predators