Memory in Grey: Reframing Consciousness Through a Spectrum of Working Memory
A science-communication piece argues against rigid ‘slots’ models of working memory, proposing a Spectrum Model with a Grey Window where information can be encoded and used without full conscious access. It notes a small capacity (roughly 4 slots or 1–2 for complex items) and the doorway effect as a threshold-reset mechanism. The article links working memory to consciousness via attention and the global (or global neuronal) workspace, citing experiments like the unicycling clown (limited attention → missed conscious events) and a 16.67 ms Gabor patch showing unconscious memory influence. Overall, it suggests consciousness may arise from a dynamic interaction between memory and attention, with a grey area between fully conscious and unconscious processing.
