Why am I writing this? It's 8::00AM and I just got home. Guess I want to get down these thoughts before morning -- err, when I wake up, whenever that will be.
I watched a show with my buddy. I think it was called "What the Bleep Do We Know." Anyway, it talked about behaviourism insomuch as our brain chemistry is involved. It explained that our brains are made up of essentially two things. Neurons and amygdala that control our memory association and physical response respectively. The neurons connect or associate certain ideas and memories with certain other ideas and memories. So when we see something that induces an emotional response, the neurons do so by associating one experience with a previous experience and the amygdala releases the same chemicals as the original memory, however that one was built. It's a virtual nightmare to try to sort the whole thing out; it's highly improbable and not where I'm leading this post.
My point is that without our direct intervention, without being aware of the choice, we're handcuffed to acting the same as we've always acted. This is cool for good stuff that isn't harmful, but as I've seen for a long time, they're usually not. I don't trust my desires as they've shown to be almost unanimously against my better judgement and have caused massive harm. The only way we can overcome these impulses is to be aware of the choice and why they were made. Only then would we be able to have the strength of conviction to overcome those desires. For example, I'm starting to associate meat with cruelty. Despite my craving for tasty, and succulent meat, I'd prefer not to feel sick at heart, which is much more valuable to me (as I've become a vegetarian).
If I could influence people, I would ask that they be aware of the choices they make or at least attempt an understanding of those choices. I don't presume to say it's easy to figure any of them out. I know it's the hardest thing in the world to assume you're wrong and try to see the different angles. There simply are too many of them.
I watched a show with my buddy. I think it was called "What the Bleep Do We Know." Anyway, it talked about behaviourism insomuch as our brain chemistry is involved. It explained that our brains are made up of essentially two things. Neurons and amygdala that control our memory association and physical response respectively. The neurons connect or associate certain ideas and memories with certain other ideas and memories. So when we see something that induces an emotional response, the neurons do so by associating one experience with a previous experience and the amygdala releases the same chemicals as the original memory, however that one was built. It's a virtual nightmare to try to sort the whole thing out; it's highly improbable and not where I'm leading this post.
My point is that without our direct intervention, without being aware of the choice, we're handcuffed to acting the same as we've always acted. This is cool for good stuff that isn't harmful, but as I've seen for a long time, they're usually not. I don't trust my desires as they've shown to be almost unanimously against my better judgement and have caused massive harm. The only way we can overcome these impulses is to be aware of the choice and why they were made. Only then would we be able to have the strength of conviction to overcome those desires. For example, I'm starting to associate meat with cruelty. Despite my craving for tasty, and succulent meat, I'd prefer not to feel sick at heart, which is much more valuable to me (as I've become a vegetarian).
If I could influence people, I would ask that they be aware of the choices they make or at least attempt an understanding of those choices. I don't presume to say it's easy to figure any of them out. I know it's the hardest thing in the world to assume you're wrong and try to see the different angles. There simply are too many of them.
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Ain't nothin' spiritual about my definitions. I'm mired in the muck and blood of the real world. I'm as behaviourist as they come. Which would be why I want to be as clear as possible that my beliefs are FAR different than that of scientology.