1. Stochastic spiking neuron signal processing system configured to implement task-specific learning, the system comprising: a physical controller apparatus configured to generate an output control signal y based at least in part on an input signal, said controller apparatus characterized by a controller state parameter, and a control parameter; and a physical learning apparatus configured to: generate an adjustment signal based at least in part on said input signal, said controller state parameter, and said output control signal; and provide said adjustment signal to said controller apparatus, thereby effecting said learning; wherein: said control parameter is configured in accordance with a task; said adjustment signal is configured to modify said control parameter based at least in part on said input signal and said output control signal; said output control signal comprises a spike train configured based at least in part said adjustment signal; said learning apparatus comprises: a task-specific block, configured independent from the controller state parameter, the task-specific block configured to implement said task-specific learning; and a controller-specific block, configured independent from said task-specific learning; and said task-specific learning is characterized by a performance function, said performance function configured to effect at least an unsupervised learning rule.