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to us, who sometimes might have mistaken Pleasure for Happiness
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The brain is our most valuable asset, but no user manual was provided. Here's one.
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a national disaster |
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My natural feeling of satisfaction is ruined. Why searching for bad mistakes became an habit?
Check it yourself: what do you notice first in another's job? |
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solution: a (fake) optimist ? |
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Some Sales Reps say: every "no" yields me satisfaction because statistically it’s footstep to a "yes".
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go perfect: stick or carrot ? |
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a tasty carrot ? spit it all at each mouthful... |
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This toon rabbit has a tight collar and can't swallow. Taste = sense on tongue
Try a tasty meal. And spit it all at each mouthful and etc.
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Is a good smell inherently good ? |
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Let me take it from the beginning... What's inside a brain? |
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There are neural networks inside my brain. Here's a mechanical model of a simple neural network.
Tuning (they say "training") consists in choosing the ball weights and V-grooves destinations
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In a real eye neural network... ...instead of balls in grooves, electrochemical signals go from many sensory neurons to one shape recognition neuron. There is amplification or inhibition in a junction between two neurons (they say "synapse"). Mechanical model:
(For how to calculate Wi in a multilayer neural net, run a google search for "backpropagation algorithm") |
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reflex : a hardwired association |
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The spinal cord is a sort of simple brain. An association between "hot!"-pattern-recognition and "release!"-action is hardwired in the spinal cord. I'm born with this association. My brain is bypassed, so that it can think more important issues while I am dealing with hot cooking ware. Another advantage: bypassing complicated circuitry makes reactions quicker. |
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creating a new recognition-action association : a conditioned reflex |
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An existing hardwired association: food view is a known visual pattern for any dog. It is associated with an action: salivate. |
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Learning an unknown new pattern ("bell ring"). We need a new wiring here, an association of "bell ring" and "salivate" neural networks... |
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...a bit of training.. |
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Done! The "bell ring" pattern has a known meaning now: "salivate!" Are salivation and food-view distinct networks? Is appetite just one kind of emotion? Can an emotion be triggered by a bell? |
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educating one's brain : bringing it altogether |
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Memories are neural networks tuned to recognize shapes, smells, etc.. There are many associations between recognizable shapes (they say "patterns"). Ex: "24 December" (abstract pattern) and "tree" (visual pattern). Emotional patterns are associated with a release of brain hormones. Some of them help solve problems, others make synapse weights tuning (memorize new patterns). Emotions can't mix (?) : if I feel fear, I am fleeing away, not solving problems. Problem solving would be rambling between many associations in search of a networks string leading to a final pattern (named "result"). Saving brainwork. If I see a Cristmas tree, my brain may substitute the viewed tree by an earlier memorized one. Even if the two tree are slightly different. Doing so, data from my eyes will be lost. And data from a neural network "Christmas tree memory" will be connected to the eyes-view entry, as if it was coming from my eyes. Thus less neurons are needed for memory. The drawback is, I can't feel this substitution, it is a perfect illusion. Experienced people have difficulties to learn new information because of that substitution. They just can't feel that some new data from the outside world is missing! |
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using emotions |
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what are emotions? |
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Example of an emotion: disgust. It serves three purposes: 1. Avoid or vomit infected things 2. Communicate to other that the food is bad. 3. Learn to avoid infections. (and of course, I can also be consciously aware of my disgust) In other words disgust serves my interests and community interests. To do so, my brain activates vomiting reflex and facial expression reflex. Both are innate. As in the dog's conditioned reflex example, I can associate things with disgust. The open mouth in a fly infested environment may be associated with disgust to avoid sleeping with an open mouth. Open mouth would be sort of "tagged" by disgust in order to be avoided unconsciously. A propos: ..thinking about facial expression of emotions: [clik-clik] wanna be a star? [clik-clik] |
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an overlooked emotion: satisfaction |
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Satisfaction is a special emotion. As you see on the picture above, satisfaction has little facial expression. This is because (unlike fear or disgust) there is no need to communicate it to the herd. Satisfaction serves mostly for personal use. That's why satisfaction is generally perceived like an absence of any emotion. Here's an easy way to feel satisfaction:
Meth users would describe an intense form of satisfaction: feel relaxed, anxiety fade, feel strong and brave, confident and happy. Btw, it's harder to feel satisfaction while slouching. With a bent spine you may feel a sort of angry irritation in the pit of the stomach. Samurai would call it weakness in the "tanden" area? Or simply a lack of guts? Satisfaction is a very important emotion and it's purpose is straightforward: "what I did was OK, now I should remember the way I did it, and start it over". Anything associated with satisfaction will be repeated again and again and with sensual pleasure. Usually reward is confused with pleasure. I would say, pleasure is what we sense (good taste on tongue, caress on skin...) and satisfaction is what we feel. Also, satisfaction (relax) is very different from exuberant joy (excitement). In oder words, it is common to think that if the reward system in our brain is activated, we feel sensual pleasure and joy and perhaps satisfaction (or "emotional relaxation", "peace", "sense of fulfillment" or "contentment"). Some publications made me speculate that joy and satisfaction correspond to two distinct systems. Pleasure would be just a perception, a sense (while certainly emotionally colored). Joy and pleasure do eclipse a more subtle satisfaction, which would be the true reward system in a training/learning prospective. Some addictive substances do hijack both pleasure and satisfaction systems. I guess, addictions are due only to the satisfaction system activation. Isn't it reasonable: even if some experiences were enjoyable, keep searching new ways until full satisfaction, and only then retain what you'd found? Some people use relaxation in successful learning. In fact relaxation is needed in any training, and the relaxation itself provide some satisfaction too. Just be aware that satisfaction and relaxation are different things. Satisfaction is an emotion, and relaxation is an action of voiding the mind and relaxing muscles. Relaxation is a prerequisite for satisfaction. Learning to feel satisfaction is part of what is called "emotional intelligence". Acting techniques and Stanislavski method will help. Also, people can induce your mood, over-expectation too, beware of pessimists and perfectionists around. |
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misusing satisfaction : hard work |
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1) pleasure : the nervous system knows where to lead you;
2) satisfaction makes it remember how to reach pleasure; |
btw:
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using satisfaction : job vs. pleasure |
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Danger: Suppose some job trouble yields negative emotions. Chemical signals are broadcasted to the entire nervous system: "wrong way, we need some correction". Meanwhile the body was working fine, controlled by unconscious commands essential for health. These valid commands are now being "corrected"(i.e. misguided) by the new chemical signals. That's why stress leads to poor health. To help emotional memory, try sort of prana-yoga built-in triggers: inspiration-pleasure(skin-and-body sensed), expiration-satisfaction. |
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motivation & will : mapping emotions |
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One can't do without what is needed.
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compulsive and addictive behavior |
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More examples of compulsive, addictive or normal behavior are easily explained using the satisfaction paradigm.
Try these: - Stress from fear to be caught + satisfaction from a successful shoplift => kleptomaniac; - Extreme sport + satisfaction of escaping danger => adrenaline junky; - Tense while searching a solution + satisfaction and relaxation at solution finding => puzzle lover; - Pain + satisfaction after an orgasm (not pleasure!) -> sado/maso; - Intercourse without ejaculation = pleasure without satisfaction => he needs Viagra; - Adrenaline rush at a job stress -> blood pressure raising + satisfaction from a smoke or a meal, while blood pressure hasn't dropped yet => hypertension; - etc... After a pathway ended with satisfaction, the brain pushes the body to that path again. Thus, any goal or action associated with the feeling of satisfaction (a.k.a. "emotional relaxation") will be reached independently of our will, over and over again. The associated pathway may even be imaginary (it'll be "meditation"). Our choices in life and our body function are driven by this powerful mechanism. While fighting suicide bombers or serial killers, correcting myopia and addictions, teaching music or math's, we should know how to use satisfaction. 1) satisfaction is not just an absence of emotions, but is a special emotion itself.
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you train only what you sense |
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I need equal amounts of satisfaction and perception of what I am doing. If my lesson is too long, satisfaction decreases, or I begin exercising automatically. Such lesson wouldn't do any good.
Important Update needed here: approaching your limit, you tend to focus on your weakness. Shifting your attention from the weakness (thus your limit) is difficult. (? Zen story walking across a precipice, blind man). Focusing on multiple targets to saturate your mind (technique from Natalie M.) |
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you can feel and sense only if you relax |
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| Try to lift a heavy weight and doing so calculate 37 x 9 = ..., or sing, or remember your favorite meal taste,... Impossible. You have to relax in order to better use your brain. | ||||
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| check list: [_] relax muscles and void mind [_] sense and visualize the new skill or thought [_] use satisfaction to tag it | ||||
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ex. 1: training a kid (to be updated) |
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Beware of negative emotions. |
Q: would the "reward" be the actual source of satisfaction, or is it just a message meaning "the task at hand was solved OK" ? NB: would the satisfaction result from the cycle "task/problem/tension => task.done/resoltion/satisfaction ? Q: They say: to manipulate you need to make the trainee feel a "freedom of choice". I guess the point here is "choice", not freedom. Your trainee is choosing (to do or not to do), is getting tense, wondering what the right choice is.. and finally the trainee relaxes: "Yes! The choice is done!" Don't push the trainee into an obvious choice. Make it an hesitating choice. Make him decide, don't decide for the trainee. A "very attractive offer" is less attractive in the long run, because it enforces a choice thus canceling the "tension->resolution" satisfactory reward. Q: a Human Adult is overloaded with problems induced by his oversized desires (hello Mr Gautama Buddha?) and by competition. Problems are so painful that people become insensitive to rewards/carrots? Relief from problems is the only reward accessible in this case? (as in sales: find a problem and offer a relief/solution). |
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It made me think of an update to the Porter - Lawler model: |
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and a comment
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1) challenging & teasing throw distance = addicted to process = winner of the goal
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An alt way : doing it excellent on an easy target. |
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school system : (mis)using kids as a tool |
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Satisfaction of being the best: impossible to shine-out without all that average students as a background.
A lesson is not a competition, but a training for one. Rewarding a few A-grade students wouldn't work without the average and thus unrewarded majority. Do they use our kids as an educational tool for the sake of a few A-students? OK, they can keep grades undisclosed... But the difficulty of an assignment is tuned up on/according-to class statistics. Thus only a few students can get an A-grade-reward. It should be tuned to fit every student individually, but this would be too expensive. Can one profit from the system? Easy: just do some homework in advance and be the straight-A kid. Update needed here: Stick based Feudal and former communist Eastern bloc system is even worse. Soviets "wanted" (did them?) people to work for the satisfaction of achievements, they failed to set it up and finally they resorted to brute force. |
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ex. 2: powerlifting |
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Update needed here: (picture) ? breathe IN -at the end of the power movement?
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ex. 3: learning a foreign language |
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This successful experience is based on Assimil (TM) method. I added some DVD. Blockbuster = unforgettable (emotions high). ("XZZ-Language-Manual" = shoestring budget, boring, austere). 1 minute film dialogue = 30 min lesson. First: print caption translation and read one-lesson-long of those. |
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Turn captions on. Listen and Understand the film.
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This one is hard!
Tip: Use a voice recorder to control your pronunciation.
DO & DONTs
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ex. 4: rock climbing |
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| Sense every single skill you train and feel a rewarding satisfaction at every step. | ||||
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ex. 5: getting rich (to be updated) |
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5.1. Problem : Wild Beast Motivation to get Rich |
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Half human, half beast,
We're told to behave and to be nice, we'd like to, but isn't there a contradiction with Making Real Big Money?
It's "Maslow's hierarchy of needs" vs. "Wild Instincts". Besides the Wild Beast problem,
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The fight for supremacy hinders Industrial Productivity.
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5.2. Solution:
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Solving puzzles is fun. Solving puzzles is addictive thru satisfaction. In solving a Special Puzzle "how to make some Money" the money itself is an evidence of success and a lucky byproduct. The sum of money gained is of no importance, what counts is the addiction to this specific puzzle, pleasure and satisfaction from solving the puzzle.
Money brings a feeling of importance, satisfies a desire to be great, makes you the-king-of-the-hill. This is Not an ideal motivation, it is based on a wild male instinct, leads into some cheating and confrontation in business, and success rate is low. Many aim the hilltop, few get there. As a happiness tool, money pays for addictions and activities we like: playtime, drink, hobbies, gambling, sex, drug, curiosity satisfaction, cruises, etc.. Love to spend money seems a weak motivation to make lots of it, since many love it, but only a few succeed? Survival tool: money helps getting water, food, shelter, safety and education for kids, etc. This money is often gained from some routine job or cheating (depends of one's ethics). Motivation for more Survival Money vanishes after earning relatively little. Not a good motivation to get extra rich. Besides while getting paid by a boss, you don't develop your ability to solve the Money Puzzle. (update needed here, pic(s):
(update needed here, pic(s):
(update needed here: Force workers to work Vs. Lure/Trick them into work, it's Capitalism as an economic and social system Vs Feudalism. Gaining surplus value is a faire prize for Motivating workers? | ||||
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5.3. adding some usefull Skills to the motivation |
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| Risk assessment, Vision, People skills, Critical thinking, Creative thinking... | ||||
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Rich people have a feeling of probabilities, vision, anticipation. Card games and game theory are all about probabilities. If I put small black or white balls in a bag, and pull them out one after another, and try to guess the color of every next ball... OK, the 100% guess is impossible, although will it reinforce the habit of relying on past experience (in everyday life do we call it intuition)?
Manipulating others is useful.
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ex. 6: quit smoking |
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It takes about 40 days to stop. Quit means stop smoking or stop wanting it?
Put an enticing pack of cigarettes and a lighter next to it in your kitchen, and do as explained on the picture. You don't need to sit on your knees, just use delayed expiration (and don’t slouch). During the 40 days you'd probably smoke some cigarettes from the pack, left some in it, no will-power or special motivation needed. How many more would you smoke, if you're often tense and unhappy? But this wouldn't be a "quit smoking" issue, it's about happiness, then..? After a year ban and a few "just one"... the addiction grip comes back. Need to renew the training? |
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No! There's a better way, invented by Allen Carr. His method is powered by the nicotine itself. 1) nicotine is not happiness, it's just a trap
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to be updated: Choice: smoke or a few pushups or a glass of water.. Healthy choice yields satisfaction as well as the smoking one, + it yields an extra satisfaction for the "right" choice. ... Getting stuck in problems and stress => dislike work => bad job performance => more problems and stress => less satisfaction => more tobacco. A downwards spiral to be aware of. to be updated: Fat <- OverEating in search of satisfaction, comfort and consolation. Life is worth finding better or just healthier and more diverse ways to the feeling of all problems gone. |
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ex. 7: wearing spectacles |
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It might be the same system, while the body is fighting some bad bacteria, or regulating some testosterone or insulin secretion...
In case of a disease the body makes slight fluctuations towards healing. Should I reward it with satisfaction? In case of a problem the mind makes slight fluctuations towards a solution. Again, should I reward it with satisfaction? or keep it deep gloom until "perfection"? |
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ex. 8: willpower and competition misunderstood |
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Competition. A hostile "community" may link together satisfaction and fight.
(btw: a "no pain, no gain" approach may accidentally link pain to satisfaction ("I love pain" instead of "I love gain"). |
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...competition and war |
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ex. 9: Genetic algorithm Genetic algorithm has nothing to do with brain structure.
Imagine a diamond hidden in a dark cave, at the highest point on the ceiling. Assume you have a long stick to probe height in the dark. What would be the best strategy? |
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1. going through enumeration of all possibilities: 100% sure but slow |
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2. gradient search : after a quick progress you got trapped in a local optimum before finding the diamond (global optimum) |
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1 + 2. genetic algorithm combines random possibilities and gradient descend. It's the quickest way to reach your goal.
Personality: balance between random curiosity and goal-seeking determination. Brainstorming: initial populations of ideas, chop them and mix randomly, challenge results and keep the best, repeat again. Silicon Valley: balance between innovation & entrepreneurship (combining "R&D center" & "market place" genes). |
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Do it. |
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Thanks to myself
Regards,
Andy :-) |
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