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.