(epistemic status: I can tell that I’m missing something, but I still think this model is an improvement over the default)
To those with an aversion to narrative: I don’t think we have a choice.
Myth is a very powerful tool for emotional intelligence. To put a number to my intuition: I think a properly devised narrative can have 10x the amount of traction compared to any amount of SAD lamps, multivitamins, sleep routines and other tricks you play on your s1. If you want to persuade your s1, you have to speak to it in it’s own language.
I think this is because narrative is a necessary ingredient for motivation.
You can fight narratives with the greatest zeal, and you can even succeed, but the result isn’t a philosopher of perfect emptiness: the result is a rock. It’s depression.
Your s1 doesn’t interface with reality, it interfaces with the real-world omega. Remove all signs of omega, and you’re left with no handles for action at all.
We can choose to ignore our narrative and treat it as random noise. We can choose to make it explicit and take it into account/steer it. I think the latter is clearly better.
Your s1 doesn’t interface with reality, it interfaces with the real-world omega. Remove all signs of omega, and you’re left with no handles for action at all.
My impression is that S1 solves roughly two kinds of problems: movement and other people. I think the latter tends to dominate, sometimes overwhelmingly. But with or without myths, you can still lift your arm.
(epistemic status: I can tell that I’m missing something, but I still think this model is an improvement over the default)
To those with an aversion to narrative: I don’t think we have a choice.
Myth is a very powerful tool for emotional intelligence. To put a number to my intuition: I think a properly devised narrative can have 10x the amount of traction compared to any amount of SAD lamps, multivitamins, sleep routines and other tricks you play on your s1. If you want to persuade your s1, you have to speak to it in it’s own language.
I think this is because narrative is a necessary ingredient for motivation.
You can fight narratives with the greatest zeal, and you can even succeed, but the result isn’t a philosopher of perfect emptiness: the result is a rock. It’s depression.
Your s1 doesn’t interface with reality, it interfaces with the real-world omega. Remove all signs of omega, and you’re left with no handles for action at all.
We can choose to ignore our narrative and treat it as random noise. We can choose to make it explicit and take it into account/steer it. I think the latter is clearly better.
I generally agree. One nitpick:
My impression is that S1 solves roughly two kinds of problems: movement and other people. I think the latter tends to dominate, sometimes overwhelmingly. But with or without myths, you can still lift your arm.