One way of avoiding processes that are too expensive in terms of cortical competition in neural space is to create shortcuts with some of the processes that are constantly activated. Many of those are generated in sub-cortical areas such as the basal ganglia. However, Calvin suggests that the cloning competition itself can give rise to algorithmic shortcuts.
Most spatio-temporal structures involve the coupling of sensory stimuli. Maybe an object, or a voice, a presence can be activated along with a spatiotemporal structure, and will prompt some action. In situations that require a quick reply or a certain flow, such as in a conversation, the resolution of competitions that involve large cortical territories may require too much time. A strategy in which a minimal number of strongly defined hexagons may be sufficient for an appropriate reaction structure to be gated. In a structure that is frequently activated in a large cortical territory, some of the hexagonal arrays will always involve the same cells and cell arrangement. These hexagons are usually somewhere in the middle of the structure so that the arrays are complete. The result is a high level of synchronicity, synchronicity precise enough for it to overwhelm surrounding noise from incomplete arrays, and may be good enough to set up a response in the absence of a more involved cloning competition. If you turn to me and say catch and I get a glimpse of a smallish red object, I will put my hands close together and assume it is an apple. Had I caught a glimpse of a big brown thing I might of assumed a basketball and part my hands further. Calvin even suggests that the constant activation of specific arrays may bias neuron threshold.