# HTM is a Sequence learning system ? right?

**URL:** <https://discourse.numenta.org/t/htm-is-a-sequence-learning-system-right/7626>\
**Category:** Numenta Theory\
**Created:** [June 4, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://discourse.numenta.org/t/htm-is-a-sequence-learning-system-right/7626 "2020-06-04T18:39:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Bitking](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.numenta.org/bitking/32/3099_2.png) [@Bitking](https://discourse.numenta.org/u/Bitking)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://discourse.numenta.org/t/htm-is-a-sequence-learning-system-right/7626/4 "2020-06-04T19:05:22Z")

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If you try to make cortex to the RL then yes, I see how there is no good answer.  
Cortex learning of transitions is very local learning and knows little or nothing about goals.  
It learns to model the world and signals when something novel is happening.

If my understanding is correct, you are correct, the “older” subcortical sections of the brain drive states and goals, and reinforcement learning.

> [@Low level processing in the old brain](https://discourse.numenta.org/t/low-level-processing-in-the-old-brain/6008):
>
> I have posted several times offering that the lower-level control structures work something like a Boltzmann or Hopfield network. I would like to expand on this concept. Let’s start with the basics. In the brainstem processing, we have many body sensors that sample blood-based messengers such as [osmotic concentration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmotic_concentration) or glucose levels. All of the body sensations also pass through these systems and provide additional information on the outside environment. It is the job of these low-level contr…

and in this post:

> [@Larkum 2013 & A State of Attention](https://discourse.numenta.org/t/larkum-2013-a-state-of-attention/4533/6):
>
> I find it quite surprising that you assert that the BG is somehow a better choice for sensing body needs. The body needs → limbic → PFC circuits are widely documented by many sources. Some examples: Thirst: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4401619/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4401619/) Hunger: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2710609/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2710609/) Heat and cold (comfort seeking): Overview of all body sensing based drives: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4306350/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4306350/) You may wish to reconsider this.

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