I think I understand what Qiaochu means except I identify with the rider most of the time. I don’t think it’s a question of knowingly choosing to identify with one part of your mind, versus just automatically feeling like that part is “Actually You.” To give a different example of the same thing: there’s a part of me that is still “high school internet troll” and although I understand his positions and feelings I find it hard to identify as that person at all.
I think I understand what Qiaochu means except I identify with the rider most of the time. I don’t think it’s a question of knowingly choosing to identify with one part of your mind, versus just automatically feeling like that part is “Actually You.” To give a different example of the same thing: there’s a part of me that is still “high school internet troll” and although I understand his positions and feelings I find it hard to identify as that person at all.