Excellent piece. I know I couldn't get past the paywall, but up to that point I can clearly see you know what the deal is. As always, your articulation in your writing is impressive. Thanks for reading my short piece as well as sharing your essay!
Infact, I am suddenly quite aware due to my blood pressure after even scrolling down Substack. I wish that we could tailor everything that comes at us the way they can tailor with algorithms that push content towards us. Like reverse rhythms of some kind!
I suspect in the near future we can have our personal AI assistant tailor that experience. While I will not be subscribing to this, I can certainly sympathize with feeling stressed after consuming too much slop.
Somewhat tangentially, it reminds me of my inchoate sense that--largely through a hellish mix of dopamine spiking, TBMC, and ever-increasing, ever-concealed ambient levels of agony--the prisoner-particpants in many modern societies now no longer actually operate under a strict "pleasure principle," but instead under an "analgesic principle" wherein we no longer expect (or perhaps even conceptualize) pleasure, so we chase cessation from pain in its place, or as Poe put it "surcease from sorrow." Not a theory I'd bet the farm on haha, but still one I ponder occasionally.
Thank you for reading. This is an interesting point that is punctuated by the master of sorrow! Another reply also mentioned the analgesic angle, I suspect there is some truth to it. I am not sure we - at least I- have the words to describe accurately what has been done to humanity on a biological level because of mass conditioning. There are however consequences to this hubris, some of them might not have been intended. Unfortunately, such revelations could undoubtedly infringe upon the agendas (including profit motives) of the elite so I doubt we will here any major public intellectuals discuss this. Although the term dysevolution coined by Daniel Lieberman I think is hovering over the target.
Immersive virtual desensitization maybe. Leads to increasing desire to stimulate the biologic drivers, while remaining separated essentially is a recipe for madness and it's a closed cycle . Addiction becomes desperate need to anesthsetize ? I'm not sure exactly but it's messed up .
This is good point, it does see to be a recipe for madness and intense desperation (to numb?). I am not sure either, but it is a deep quandary that I wish more people would discuss.
We naturally seek respite from pain. Maybe a subconscious awareness that there may be a fundamental societal emotional and physical disconnect , ( pain shows as request for change ) which I believe is true , remains unresolved as the solution for that dillema is increasingly more disengagement, fantasy, hyperbolic and surrogate replacements for real connection. I really am guessing, but I think there's something to it
Something I ponder is whether there are distinctions between higher and more, er, visceral orders of emotion. I've personally never been a fan of "jumpscare" horror movies, instead preferring media with more enduring topics (e.g. Final Destination and its "you can't cheat death" aesop).
I do think that the inability of the involuntary mind to distinguish between fiction and reality can be a useful way to inculcate empathy, but that depends on whether someone is actively engaging with the medium in question ... the difference between "am I paying attention to the details of this movie/book/game" vs. "do I understand the ramifications of what's going on?"-esque reflection. For instance, not seeing a character death as "oh it's just a movie, next!", but rather concluding that if it's sad in fiction, it must mean something in real life as well; letting emotions contextualize one's conscience (without controlling it--important caveat), I suppose. That could possibly anchor someone towards those higher order faculties, even as they traverse through the visceral/ambient effects.
A game that did this very well would be Undertale; the EXP and LV one gains from killing other characters are actually stand-ins for moral corruption (how easily one can inflict suffering and detach themselves from it), and completing a Genocide route makes it nigh impossible to ever play the game normally again. Doesn't matter if it's fiction, the game will not allow the player to kill without addressing the ramifications of the prerequisite sociopathy. But now I'm too digressional XD
"Great piece. Something I ponder is whether there are distinctions between higher and more, er, visceral orders of emotion. I've personally never been a fan of "jumpscare" horror movies, instead preferring media with more enduring topics (e.g. Final Destination and its "you can't cheat death" aesop)."
I do suspect there are differences depending upon what type of emotion or autonomic response was triggered.
" I do think that the inability of the involuntary mind to distinguish between fiction and reality can be a useful way to inculcate empathy, but that depends on whether someone is actively engaging with the medium in question ... the difference between "am I paying attention to the details of this movie/book/game" vs. "do I understand the ramifications of what's going on?"-esque reflection. For instance, not seeing a character death as "oh it's just a movie, next!", but rather concluding that if it's sad in fiction, it must mean something in real life as well; letting emotions contextualize one's conscience (without controlling it--important caveat), I suppose. That could possibly anchor someone towards those higher order faculties, even as they traverse through the visceral/ambient effects. A game that did this very well would be Undertale; the EXP and LV one gains from killing other characters are actually stand-ins for moral corruption (how easily one can inflict suffering and detach themselves from it), and completing a Genocide route makes it nigh impossible to ever play the game normally again. Doesn't matter if it's fiction, the game will not allow the player to kill without addressing the ramifications of the prerequisite sociopathy. But now I'm too digressional XD"
You make a good point. I also think it matters how immersed one is in the environment. (movie, game et cetera) The more “involved” one is it could have a more significant impact as well as depending upon how relatable and real that artificial stimulus is. ( in an odd way my Posthuman sex and infinite edging essay touches on this- our relationship with sex becomes increasingly obfuscated the more the simulacra accurately mimic reality) Although, regardless of our active awareness of it, our body will be affected on some level because our body will mediate images and sounds without input from our intellect. With that said, I do think our reason can temper such things (its just a game) but it cannot completely eliminate the event. Of course, I am not implying that our body figures out higher level issues and second and third order effects without our input.
The other thing to consider involves conditioning. Exposure to artificial human events through entertainment normalizes certain behaviors which may or may not be likely or even preferred in real life. That exposure creates a subconscious template for when we encounter them later…
Concur w/ all of it; why I took Lent off-line; don't forget mirror neurons: https://childrenofjob.substack.com/p/language-based-reality-mentis-non
Excellent piece. I know I couldn't get past the paywall, but up to that point I can clearly see you know what the deal is. As always, your articulation in your writing is impressive. Thanks for reading my short piece as well as sharing your essay!
It’s all propaganda. I wouldn’t watch any of it now. Seriously it’s all damaging.
Infact, I am suddenly quite aware due to my blood pressure after even scrolling down Substack. I wish that we could tailor everything that comes at us the way they can tailor with algorithms that push content towards us. Like reverse rhythms of some kind!
I suspect in the near future we can have our personal AI assistant tailor that experience. While I will not be subscribing to this, I can certainly sympathize with feeling stressed after consuming too much slop.
My anxieties will get me before my ai robot does.
Well said. Another thought-provoking piece.
Somewhat tangentially, it reminds me of my inchoate sense that--largely through a hellish mix of dopamine spiking, TBMC, and ever-increasing, ever-concealed ambient levels of agony--the prisoner-particpants in many modern societies now no longer actually operate under a strict "pleasure principle," but instead under an "analgesic principle" wherein we no longer expect (or perhaps even conceptualize) pleasure, so we chase cessation from pain in its place, or as Poe put it "surcease from sorrow." Not a theory I'd bet the farm on haha, but still one I ponder occasionally.
Thank you for reading. This is an interesting point that is punctuated by the master of sorrow! Another reply also mentioned the analgesic angle, I suspect there is some truth to it. I am not sure we - at least I- have the words to describe accurately what has been done to humanity on a biological level because of mass conditioning. There are however consequences to this hubris, some of them might not have been intended. Unfortunately, such revelations could undoubtedly infringe upon the agendas (including profit motives) of the elite so I doubt we will here any major public intellectuals discuss this. Although the term dysevolution coined by Daniel Lieberman I think is hovering over the target.
Immersive virtual desensitization maybe. Leads to increasing desire to stimulate the biologic drivers, while remaining separated essentially is a recipe for madness and it's a closed cycle . Addiction becomes desperate need to anesthsetize ? I'm not sure exactly but it's messed up .
This is good point, it does see to be a recipe for madness and intense desperation (to numb?). I am not sure either, but it is a deep quandary that I wish more people would discuss.
We naturally seek respite from pain. Maybe a subconscious awareness that there may be a fundamental societal emotional and physical disconnect , ( pain shows as request for change ) which I believe is true , remains unresolved as the solution for that dillema is increasingly more disengagement, fantasy, hyperbolic and surrogate replacements for real connection. I really am guessing, but I think there's something to it
Great piece, and thought-provoking questions!
Something I ponder is whether there are distinctions between higher and more, er, visceral orders of emotion. I've personally never been a fan of "jumpscare" horror movies, instead preferring media with more enduring topics (e.g. Final Destination and its "you can't cheat death" aesop).
I do think that the inability of the involuntary mind to distinguish between fiction and reality can be a useful way to inculcate empathy, but that depends on whether someone is actively engaging with the medium in question ... the difference between "am I paying attention to the details of this movie/book/game" vs. "do I understand the ramifications of what's going on?"-esque reflection. For instance, not seeing a character death as "oh it's just a movie, next!", but rather concluding that if it's sad in fiction, it must mean something in real life as well; letting emotions contextualize one's conscience (without controlling it--important caveat), I suppose. That could possibly anchor someone towards those higher order faculties, even as they traverse through the visceral/ambient effects.
A game that did this very well would be Undertale; the EXP and LV one gains from killing other characters are actually stand-ins for moral corruption (how easily one can inflict suffering and detach themselves from it), and completing a Genocide route makes it nigh impossible to ever play the game normally again. Doesn't matter if it's fiction, the game will not allow the player to kill without addressing the ramifications of the prerequisite sociopathy. But now I'm too digressional XD
Apologies for any incoherence on my end!!
Thanks for reading!
"Great piece. Something I ponder is whether there are distinctions between higher and more, er, visceral orders of emotion. I've personally never been a fan of "jumpscare" horror movies, instead preferring media with more enduring topics (e.g. Final Destination and its "you can't cheat death" aesop)."
I do suspect there are differences depending upon what type of emotion or autonomic response was triggered.
" I do think that the inability of the involuntary mind to distinguish between fiction and reality can be a useful way to inculcate empathy, but that depends on whether someone is actively engaging with the medium in question ... the difference between "am I paying attention to the details of this movie/book/game" vs. "do I understand the ramifications of what's going on?"-esque reflection. For instance, not seeing a character death as "oh it's just a movie, next!", but rather concluding that if it's sad in fiction, it must mean something in real life as well; letting emotions contextualize one's conscience (without controlling it--important caveat), I suppose. That could possibly anchor someone towards those higher order faculties, even as they traverse through the visceral/ambient effects. A game that did this very well would be Undertale; the EXP and LV one gains from killing other characters are actually stand-ins for moral corruption (how easily one can inflict suffering and detach themselves from it), and completing a Genocide route makes it nigh impossible to ever play the game normally again. Doesn't matter if it's fiction, the game will not allow the player to kill without addressing the ramifications of the prerequisite sociopathy. But now I'm too digressional XD"
You make a good point. I also think it matters how immersed one is in the environment. (movie, game et cetera) The more “involved” one is it could have a more significant impact as well as depending upon how relatable and real that artificial stimulus is. ( in an odd way my Posthuman sex and infinite edging essay touches on this- our relationship with sex becomes increasingly obfuscated the more the simulacra accurately mimic reality) Although, regardless of our active awareness of it, our body will be affected on some level because our body will mediate images and sounds without input from our intellect. With that said, I do think our reason can temper such things (its just a game) but it cannot completely eliminate the event. Of course, I am not implying that our body figures out higher level issues and second and third order effects without our input.
The other thing to consider involves conditioning. Exposure to artificial human events through entertainment normalizes certain behaviors which may or may not be likely or even preferred in real life. That exposure creates a subconscious template for when we encounter them later…