Hardwired

Encyclopedia : H : HA : HAR : Hardwired

Hardwired means "not changeable". It is used in technical descriptions to denote a lack of any reprogramming/switching/selection mechanisms where there might be room for one. The term is frequently used in the fields of electronics and computers.

The term has moved into popular culture, wherein the same implacability is imputed to groups or individuals. An individual who is normally perceived as flexible may be described as hardwired in a given situation. ("It was like he was hardwired: No matter what I said, he wanted that raise!")

In humans and animals, hardwired refers to genetically determined, instinctive behavior, as opposed to learned behavior. For example, many linguists, including Noam Chomsky, believe that aspects of human language are hardwired into our brains by DNA.

See also: hardcoding

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