I've often wondered how dramatically my life would be changed if I was not raised in the surroundings I was. and If somhow, my sexuality, my attitude, my emotional state was all effected by how I was raised, or if it is really somthing pre-determined.
In other words, as one of my favorite writers put it: "Just as a novelist creates a narrative, a person creates a sense of being. The self is simply our work of art, a fiction created by the brain in order to make sense of its own disunity. We invent ourselves out of our own sensations." -Lehrer
The human brain just invents "the self" so as to over-ride its own inherent contradictions, its disunity, the constant struggle between the opposite lobes designed to disagree with each other.
I don't believe in an external soul. I also think art came up w/ insights into the human mind (our sense of self) before neuroscience did, especially modernists like Virginia Woolf. Her writings show us that we are composed of ever-changing impressions held together by a thin front of identity & now science tells us that neurons are in constant war over which feelings & sensations become conscious; "so the mind is not a place, it's a process". One person's reality is simply his/her final draft.
Don't you think identity is an evolving thing? I am not the person I was in college for example. Life has a big impact on who we are. And even if you start out beautiful nobody stays that way, on the outside at least.
I do think we evolve, that's true, but there are stubborn traits that remain with us despite the changes we go through. That could be an interesting exercise. Taking note of what hasn't changed in us since childhood might be a strong indicator of who we are.
Nicely stated...... I'm always impressed with vloggers who have a specific point and can see it to a logical conclusion .... amongst all the videos of 6packed guys in speedos or nothing at all seaside thanks for making me think again .....lol ...ciao:~)
I did a presentation about "Identity", and I borrowed a bit from your video. Hope you don't mind.
lucifers666angel 1 year ago 2
@lucifers666angel That's awesome! I'm honored.
JayBellBooks 1 year ago
It's good to know that there are educated people here on YouTube. It's really sad that we are judged on our appearance.
TreCoolness 1 year ago
uuugg wow you just blew my brain out of my head =) this is great
blue2kid3 2 years ago
very insightful. i love it. i love your videos i cant stop watching them.
eHtuL 2 years ago
pretty kewl my friend ~_~
ATBigger 2 years ago
I've often wondered how dramatically my life would be changed if I was not raised in the surroundings I was. and If somhow, my sexuality, my attitude, my emotional state was all effected by how I was raised, or if it is really somthing pre-determined.
Tnuffsaid 2 years ago
There's a german word I love, gestalt. We are greater than the sum of our traits.
vngu2547 2 years ago
I love this Jay. It says so many things I have been thinking lately.
nyteskye1978 2 years ago
In other words, as one of my favorite writers put it: "Just as a novelist creates a narrative, a person creates a sense of being. The self is simply our work of art, a fiction created by the brain in order to make sense of its own disunity. We invent ourselves out of our own sensations." -Lehrer
The human brain just invents "the self" so as to over-ride its own inherent contradictions, its disunity, the constant struggle between the opposite lobes designed to disagree with each other.
Hephaestion123 2 years ago
I don't believe in an external soul. I also think art came up w/ insights into the human mind (our sense of self) before neuroscience did, especially modernists like Virginia Woolf. Her writings show us that we are composed of ever-changing impressions held together by a thin front of identity & now science tells us that neurons are in constant war over which feelings & sensations become conscious; "so the mind is not a place, it's a process". One person's reality is simply his/her final draft.
Hephaestion123 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing this thought, it caused me a great deal of reflection
alonelychild 2 years ago
This was really good Jay. You made me think ...well you always do, but more than usually
ABookByAnyOtherName 2 years ago
Don't you think identity is an evolving thing? I am not the person I was in college for example. Life has a big impact on who we are. And even if you start out beautiful nobody stays that way, on the outside at least.
johnetie 2 years ago
I do think we evolve, that's true, but there are stubborn traits that remain with us despite the changes we go through. That could be an interesting exercise. Taking note of what hasn't changed in us since childhood might be a strong indicator of who we are.
JayBellBooks 2 years ago
Things that don't change are only a part. The things that are now are the only thing that counts to me. Who we were just doesn't seem relevant.
johnetie 2 years ago
Nicely stated...... I'm always impressed with vloggers who have a specific point and can see it to a logical conclusion .... amongst all the videos of 6packed guys in speedos or nothing at all seaside thanks for making me think again .....lol ...ciao:~)
drby3 2 years ago