Default Mode

Abstract

We often take everyday common sense for granted, frequently acting without thinking. Many subconscious processes are instinctual, but they can also be learned and evolve. When a baby is born, its communication is limited to one mode -- crying -- which signals to the parents if the baby is feeling a lack of attention, hunger, or pain. When a creature has limited means of survival or is in risky situations that other means are not available, the creature typically reverts to a survival or backup state, so-called default mode, and performs survival actions. It uses simple algorithms to cope with complex and dynamic situations. In this chapter, we will explore how to use default mode algorithms and default knowledge to solve challenging problems in modern control, network, and vision systems such as collision handling in networks, exception-handling in autonomous vehicles, and object recognition.