Hmm, when I think “default plan”, I think something like “what’s the first thing I think to do, based on what’s most salient in my mind right now?”. So this can be related to the acetylcholine dynamic I mentioned here, where things like itches and annoying car alarms are salient in my mind even if I don’t want them to be. Hunger is definitely capable of forcibly pulling attention. But I do also think you can get a similar dynamic from social instincts. Like if someone shouts your name “Hey MaxRa!!”, your “default plan” is to immediately pay attention to that person. Or a more pleasant example is: if you’re snuggling under the blanket with your significant other, then the associated pleasant feelings are very salient in your mind, and the “default plan” is to remain under the blanket.
That acetylcholine dynamic is just one example; there can be other reasons for things to be more or less salient. Like, maybe I’m thinking: “I could go to the party…”, but then I immediately think: “…my ex might be at the party and oh geez I don’t want to see them and have to talk to them”. That’s an example where there are social instincts on both sides of the dilemma, but still, the downsides of going to the party (seeing my ex) pop right out immediately to the forefront of my mind when I think of the party, whereas the benefits of going to the party (I’ll be really glad I did etc.) are strong but less salient. So the latter can spawn very powerful desires if I’m actively thinking of them, but they’re comparatively easy to overlook.
Hmm, when I think “default plan”, I think something like “what’s the first thing I think to do, based on what’s most salient in my mind right now?”. So this can be related to the acetylcholine dynamic I mentioned here, where things like itches and annoying car alarms are salient in my mind even if I don’t want them to be. Hunger is definitely capable of forcibly pulling attention. But I do also think you can get a similar dynamic from social instincts. Like if someone shouts your name “Hey MaxRa!!”, your “default plan” is to immediately pay attention to that person. Or a more pleasant example is: if you’re snuggling under the blanket with your significant other, then the associated pleasant feelings are very salient in your mind, and the “default plan” is to remain under the blanket.
That acetylcholine dynamic is just one example; there can be other reasons for things to be more or less salient. Like, maybe I’m thinking: “I could go to the party…”, but then I immediately think: “…my ex might be at the party and oh geez I don’t want to see them and have to talk to them”. That’s an example where there are social instincts on both sides of the dilemma, but still, the downsides of going to the party (seeing my ex) pop right out immediately to the forefront of my mind when I think of the party, whereas the benefits of going to the party (I’ll be really glad I did etc.) are strong but less salient. So the latter can spawn very powerful desires if I’m actively thinking of them, but they’re comparatively easy to overlook.