# Neural Network, Explained in Plain Language > Source: > Published: 2026-08-22 12:00:00+00:00 # Neural Network, Explained in Plain Language A machine that learns by getting things wrong. ## Dots and lines Dots hold a number. Lines carry it to the next dot. **That's the whole machine.** ## In one end, out the other Numbers go in one side. An answer comes out the other. ## Every line has a dial Turn a dial up and that line matters more. A big network has **millions of dials.** ## At first, it's wrong All the dials start at random. So the first guess is nonsense. ## So nudge the dials Every dial that pushed toward "dog" gets turned down a hair. **A hair. Not a lot.** ## Now do that a million times Forward, then backward. Forward, then backward. **Do that a million times** and the dials settle somewhere that works. That's learning.