Mister Atompunk Presents: Atomic Almanac Season Zero

Level 3 — HEBBIAN LEARNING

Neural Adaptation (1949)

"Cells that fire together, wire together." — Donald Hebb

What this is

An interactive exploration of Hebbian learning — how simple rules of association shape perception, memory, and intelligence. From neurons to algorithms, the same principle builds complexity: repeated co-activation strengthens connections. You’ll see how patterns emerge from practice itself.

Playthrough

Phase 1 — Neuron Pairing
Trigger two virtual neurons. Fire them together, watch their synapse strengthen. Fire them apart, the link fades.

Phase 2 — Pattern Recall
Light up a grid of neurons. With repetition, the network learns to recognize and complete familiar patterns.

Phase 3 — Sequence Learning
Present ordered inputs. The system begins predicting what comes next, showing how temporal association builds memory.

Phase 4 — Emergent Recognition
Small networks combine — what begins as random noise organizes into coherent associations. You’ve built the foundation of learning machines.

Controls

• Click to fire neurons

• Start/Stop to run training cycles

You’ll learn

• Hebb’s Rule: “fire together, wire together”

• How repetition shapes synaptic strength

• Pattern completion and associative recall

• The link between brain cells and neural networks