Abstract: A method for associating data, including creating reciprocal associations between elements of at least one first memory segment and elements of at least one distinct second distinct memory segment to provide: (i) a hierarchical relationship between elements of the at least one first memory segment by traversing the reciprocal associations, and, (ii) a hierarchical relationship between elements of the at least one distinct second memory segment by traversing the reciprocal associations.

Abstract: A knowledge acquisition and retrieval apparatus and method that emulate the human brain and comprise at least one first memory segment, and a distinct second memory segment, wherein elements of the at least one first memory segment are reciprocally associated to elements of the second memory segment, and vice-versa. The at least one first memory segment comprises categorized data from the physical world, known as representational data, while the second memory segment contains abstract or conceptual data, otherwise known as consciousness data. Physical data comprises auditory data, language data, visual data, motion data, and sensory data, and each element of the at least one first memory segment is identified as auditory data, language data, visual data, motion data, or sensory data. By reciprocally associating the physical (representational) and conceptual (consciousness) data, a hierarchical structure is created that allows information retrieval by traversing the reciprocal associations.