Malik Mays

Oakland-based musician and artist (also releases music as Mahawam) who tried pareidolia as a mindfulness practice and reflects on its effects on creativity and everyday experience.

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Oct 23, 2025 • 21min

Why Our Brains Find Meaning in Random Patterns

Malik Mays, an Oakland-based musician known as Mahawam, shares his playful experiences with pareidolia, seeing faces in everyday objects and using it to rekindle creativity. Neuroscientist Antoine Belmar-Pépin discusses the link between pareidolia and how our brains perceive patterns, revealing that those who see more forms in ambiguity tend to score higher on creativity tasks. They explore how this phenomenon can enhance emotional expression and transform our connection with the world around us.

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