I remember in a class I took with you back in the 70s at Hanau High School. You told us about a study done with earth worms. Half of the worms were given smooth plastic tubing that led them to food quickly and easily. The other half was provided tubes that contained ridges and obstacles making the food harder to get to. Those latter worms lived longer and thrived as a species while the worms who had it easy died off sooner. I want to be stimulated, to constantly question. I will listen to reason, I will not attempt to refute evidence that is rooted in science, but I will never follow blindly as a way to be comfortable. Long live rebellion!
Rosemary, you have an amazing memory. That was a looong time ago, and apropos of decision making. Actually, they were Planarian worms who have ganglia for brains. If I'm remembering correctly, one of the points was that when the worms reached the fork in the road, they made a "decision" to go one way or the other, usually going in the tube leading to food. But after a while, on repeat journeys, the "chose" the other fork. Why? Can creatures without brains become bored? Or make decisions? Or need stimulation in the form of variety? You were right on target mentioning stimulation. We could raise the ante by asking the same questions, say about chickens or the family dog. But worms? Maybe the rebellion you have in mind is the need for stimulation.
Ha! I was just writing to my brother this morning that I am tired of responsibility and duty and obligation. Not the same thing, I know, but there is a part of me that wants to disappear into my own world. You know? Like a hermit? Find a tiny shelter on the coast and give it all up.
I could be a cloistered person - lost in silence, chanting, meditation, repetitive work. But I would probably last less than a week. 😂
Gracie, I think many of us could use a break from life, but wouldn't last long. I taught psychology seminars where I gave students open ended sentences like, "Sometimes I think I'd like to_____. "Most answers were something like "just run away." I always appreciate your comments
I recall reading long ago that a part the human brain has the "Executive" function. It does volition. It decides what you do. In some people it is underdeveloped or missing. Those people prefer to be controlled. I think the classic, real zombies were created by some kind of deprivation (involving being buried alive for a while) that destroyed the executive brain function.
Maybe whether you have a strong executive function or not is one of the things that contributes to your decision to be left or right, to want to be controlled by government or to want to be free to control yourself.
Interesting. I never thought of it in terms of "executive function." I have a family member who excels at that, in her job and her personal life. As a result, she is pretty high ranking. On the other hand, I tend to be indecisive, but am appalled by the thought of giving up my autonomy to thought or action, anyone or any cause. I suspect it's all about genetic determinism. I think cult followers are weak people who draw power from strong leaders.
While the leaders draw strength from the crowds of worshippers. A kind of symbiosis. Trump comes to mind. Thanks for your comment.
I remember in a class I took with you back in the 70s at Hanau High School. You told us about a study done with earth worms. Half of the worms were given smooth plastic tubing that led them to food quickly and easily. The other half was provided tubes that contained ridges and obstacles making the food harder to get to. Those latter worms lived longer and thrived as a species while the worms who had it easy died off sooner. I want to be stimulated, to constantly question. I will listen to reason, I will not attempt to refute evidence that is rooted in science, but I will never follow blindly as a way to be comfortable. Long live rebellion!
Rosemary, you have an amazing memory. That was a looong time ago, and apropos of decision making. Actually, they were Planarian worms who have ganglia for brains. If I'm remembering correctly, one of the points was that when the worms reached the fork in the road, they made a "decision" to go one way or the other, usually going in the tube leading to food. But after a while, on repeat journeys, the "chose" the other fork. Why? Can creatures without brains become bored? Or make decisions? Or need stimulation in the form of variety? You were right on target mentioning stimulation. We could raise the ante by asking the same questions, say about chickens or the family dog. But worms? Maybe the rebellion you have in mind is the need for stimulation.
Ha! I was just writing to my brother this morning that I am tired of responsibility and duty and obligation. Not the same thing, I know, but there is a part of me that wants to disappear into my own world. You know? Like a hermit? Find a tiny shelter on the coast and give it all up.
I could be a cloistered person - lost in silence, chanting, meditation, repetitive work. But I would probably last less than a week. 😂
Gracie, I think many of us could use a break from life, but wouldn't last long. I taught psychology seminars where I gave students open ended sentences like, "Sometimes I think I'd like to_____. "Most answers were something like "just run away." I always appreciate your comments
I recall reading long ago that a part the human brain has the "Executive" function. It does volition. It decides what you do. In some people it is underdeveloped or missing. Those people prefer to be controlled. I think the classic, real zombies were created by some kind of deprivation (involving being buried alive for a while) that destroyed the executive brain function.
Maybe whether you have a strong executive function or not is one of the things that contributes to your decision to be left or right, to want to be controlled by government or to want to be free to control yourself.
Interesting. I never thought of it in terms of "executive function." I have a family member who excels at that, in her job and her personal life. As a result, she is pretty high ranking. On the other hand, I tend to be indecisive, but am appalled by the thought of giving up my autonomy to thought or action, anyone or any cause. I suspect it's all about genetic determinism. I think cult followers are weak people who draw power from strong leaders.
While the leaders draw strength from the crowds of worshippers. A kind of symbiosis. Trump comes to mind. Thanks for your comment.