1. An apparatus for associating an input event with a previously learned event comprising an association matrix having a sparse forward matrix characterized by a plurality of input lines randomly coupled by programmable contacts to a plurality of target lines and further comprising a plurality of programming lines, where each programmable contact is comprised of a select transistor coupled to said input line and to said target line and a floating gate MOS contact transistor coupled to said select transistor and to said programming line, and further comprising means coupled to each of said input lines, programming lines and target lines to place predetermined voltages on these lines during a learning mode to cause the charge stored on the floating gates of selected contact transistors to be altered in accordance with a forward matrix learning rule and for placing predetermined voltages on said input, target and programming lines during a recognition mode for allowing selected select and contact transistors to drain amounts of charge out of selected target lines in accordance with the amount of charge stored on the floating gates of said selected contact transistors.