The Mental Operating Loop (draft)
Across any person’s lifespan, all mental activity runs in a cycle. Let us call this cycle the Mental Operating Loop, which is comprised of Components.
Since the Mental Operating loop is present in all people, and often subtly but significantly influencing us, always running in the backgrounds of our lives, we should strive to pay special attention to its structure. By examining closely this loop and the operations that occur, we can detect issues and risks, correct faulty components and patterns, see fantastic opportunities, and even better connect with our fellow humans as we recognize them operating in the same loop.
Components of the Mental Operating Loop:
Perception
Model of Reality (creates Meaning, creates Possibilities)
Analysis (creates Options)
Decision (chooses 1 Option)
Execution (carrying out Option)
Result (can feed into Perception)
Basic Operation:
First Perception occurs, then a Model of Reality is created.
Analysis is performed, creating Options from the Possibilities inside the Model of Reality.
A Decision selects an Option, and Execution carries that Option out, creating a Result.
This Result can then enter perception, restarting the loop.
Note: All components are recursive and can enter Perception. Multiple loops can be running simultaneously. The Components can change order and interact with each other endlessly.
Perception
Everything the person perceives enters perception, including internal and external stimuli all enter the mind, but not everything is noticed. Human perception is heavily filtered.
Examples: hunger, thirst, other people’s aura/energy, that thing you have to do later tonight, a coworker getting mad at you, returning to work on monday and subsequent dread,
Model of Reality
The model of reality interprets and creates Meaning via connections, and takes into account the following inputs:
Filtered Perception
Beliefs
Memory
Identity
Emotions
Incentives
Meaning is generally created by emotionally resonant connections unconsciously made between inputs inside the Model of Reality, combinations of the above bullet points. It’s something the person realizes exists or doesn’t exist.
Meaning is never guaranteed (the default is not having Meaning), but human beings continually search for Meaning as a fundamental need. People with Meaning in their lives do much better than people without it, who literally go crazy.
The quality and quantity of Meaning is specific to the person in question. Meaning is highly, highly individual.
At this point in the loop, Meaning is a complete hallucination. It can be actually present in the real world, but that’s not required. It can also be shared as this hallucination version to other people, with no connection to reality whatsoever. (a complete delusion)
From the sources of Meaning in the Model of Reality, possibilities are created as an output.
Possibilities are Meaningful single or combined inputs (a bullet or bullets from above, or mini-Model of Reality). Remember, since components are recursive, inputs can also include mini-Models of Reality.
Analysis
The Model of Reality creates Possibilities to consider. Analysis cuts these possibilities down to Options we more deeply consider. There are generally fewer Options than Possibilities.
Typically, Options pair a Possibility with a potential Response.
Responses include actions, reactions, and can also include doing nothing as a reaction.
Decision
A Decision chooses one Option from the Analysis component.
Other Options are excluded, but a second (recursive) round of Analysis can combine or change Options.
Not choosing any Option is also a decision.
Execution
This is the act of carrying out the chosen Option.
The mechanics involved in pursuing an Option are also recursive, and can also enter Perception.
Result
Either the inner or outer world of the person in question is affected, and this Result enters the person’s perception, restarting the loop or creating a new loop.
The decision component is the area where you can control this loop. You’ve perceived this information and added it to your Model of Reality. Now, you can edit your own loop at will.
Visioning and Improving
I’ve got two major visions so far for this new writing project of mine:
Create a backlog of things I actually want to write about. These are the reasons for wanting to writing at all.
Learn deeply about how to write. Build out a foundation and toolkit so I can more clearly express the ideas.
I think the order listed above invites lots of practice runs, with the expectation that early iterations will be of relatively poor quality, despite full efforts. Only when I know where I actually commit errors will I know where to spend improvement efforts.
#2 will be largely tackled along the way, as I learn to build my own formulas for writing. Internet resources and workshops will help, but it has to come from me. Copying and pasting someone else’s formula wholesale is not unique.
But enough meta-writing, let’s move on to the main course, the scariest part: Expressing ideas I believe humanity should stand to benefit from.
Vision Criteria:
Visions should be a ‘perfect’ user guide, providing immense benefit to the user, representing the standard of how that faculty, dynamic, or situation and should be approached. Notes will definitely be made where reality forces the user to deviate.
Visions should be extremely available to everyone:
No resource requirements to using them, other than reading and applying what I wrote
Applicable to people of all backgrounds
Visions will be presented as neutrally as possible (amorally)
Focus will be on describing the situation as completely as possible, including:
Roles
Mechanics/dynamics
and actions that progress or regress the user’s position/status/results
All of this section is subject to change
Vision Backlog:
Self-Awareness/Metacognition (awareness of your own emotions and thoughts)
Self-Change (enacting the changes you want, without going against your own nature)
Attention Control
Identity Control
Long Term Thinking/Planning
Your Lifetime Happiness, Forecasted
Meaning only shows up sometimes. You can’t count on it.
[more to come!]
First Post
"If you want to have good ideas, you must have many ideas."
– Linus Pauling (also on Paul Graham’s site)
I’m inspired by Paul Graham and all that he’s accomplished, despite being so unique/weird. And now with Sam Altman coming out of Paul (and Jessica’s!) Y Combinator and leading OpenAI, I can only say that his approach made more than enough sense.
What is his approach, and why is it such a big deal? I’ll explore that soon. But I think it’s something to keep in mind in all walks of life. For now, just trying to get this website up and running, and start creating some legacy to leave behind—- hopefully it’s a positive move.