absolutely fascinating. i read once than 99 percent of neuron activity in the brain is communication of things we've already experienced: basically, we're consistently having conversations in our brain about things outside of the immediate environment we're in. what we need to do, what to do about a situation, what happened yesterday, etc.

also consider that having these conversations internally makes us normal; having them externally puts you in a nuthouse.

You're aiming for deep threads today, aren't you?

it's something i've been thinking about lately.

i was out for dinner this evening and i was walking back to my apartment deciding whether or not i wanted to make the effort to go out tonight. i've spent a good deal of money this week and i was thinking a night in would do me OK. after making this decision, i passed by an apartment, the windows of which i could see in. a collection of people, maybe a half dozen, were sitting around a dinner table packed with food, glasses filled with wine. they seemed to be having a good time together. upon seeing this, i retorted externally: "i'm a social animal. it's saturday night. i should be doing something like that tonight!" alas, i am home tonight for other reasons too, but having this conversation with myself reminded me of an occurrence last weekend when i was home.

it's saturday afternoon. my father comes in from doing yardwork looking for something to eat for lunch. he starts rummaging through the refrigerator, then the freezer. i am sitting on the couch, reading, in the next room over. i can see his back. i then hear "no, i don't want that ... hm, maybe ... i guess i could have a lean pocket. what else is in here? ... ok, a lean pocket it is. how long do i need to heat this up for? ... ok ... what else can i eat?"

internally, that makes complete sense. externally, it's weird to hear.

He's aiming to play out the internal dialogue of the human brain on an internet message board.

to the nuthouse he goes!

Have you seen The Secret Life of the Brain?

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/

This quote is on their page on the adult brain. One of the questions that they address is, "From a biological standpoint, what is the relationship between emotion and reason?"

"Emotions are not the intangible and vaporous qualities that many presume them to be. Brain systems work together to give us emotions just as they do with sight and smell. If you lose the ability to feel, your life, and the lives of people around you, can be devastated." -- Antonio R. Damasio

emotions also serve as a defense mechanism.

not yet. thank you.

you better explain this one lover

damn, here's the thread i was originally looking for but could not find:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=73293&hilit=spirituality

feel free to merge this thread into that one, mods.