MODUS OPERANDI

i have considered it most important in my life to understand how animals operate, particularly as it applies to the human animal, of which i am one example.  through observation and study i have been able to tease out a few rough principles over the years.  this has been materially aided by more recent studies in genetics, especially as that study relates to protein production in response to situational events.  the coding that controls chemical balance (and imbalance) in animals is found in the genes, though there is some belief among researchers that gene encoded production can be modified by experience.  the larger influence in modifying behavior experientially, though, seems to me to be intentional states that can be imposed by the conscious mind, which is cognizant of experience and is able to direct responses in ways that may modify or even run counter to genetically triggered (emotional) reactions.  whether there are more than two major influences to behavior i dont know, but using just these two types of response we can model much of what humans do and much of the tension and conflict they may feel to be an integral part of their lives.  whether consciously or not, humans in particular seem to need to build credible stories that reinforce their behaviors and emerging belief systems.  these narratives change over time with accumulating experience and are the principal cause of much of the rewriting of our memories that is happening on a continuing basis in all of us.  people at least among animals seem uncomfortable with inconsistencies of belief through time and narrative remodeling keeps a certain clarity of vision and purpose, at the cost of historical accuracy.  the operational advantages of this deception must have proved over time more useful to survival than the rather intellectual pursuit of accurate depictions of reality and truth.  this is where i have trouble myself with the mainstream understanding.  i think the bias toward operational simplicity in preference to a broader understanding of circumstances surrounding our perceptions and belief systems is now holding us back from advancing further as a species.  how this can be remedied i have no idea.  presently, individuals for the most part have neither the time nor the inclination to understand the ways they operate and prefer to believe themselves inherently capable of right decisions based on facts they may see as irrefutable.  i think most have no idea where their emotions come from and tend to trust them, their ‘feelings’, as a more reliable guide to truth than their intellect.  in fact, though emotions may indicate a relative level of importance to the individual of any circumstance, that is all they provide — there is no intelligence or rational thought until it is added by the intentional mind.  and people for the most part seem to me to be unaware of how easy it is for others with greater understanding to manipulate their emotional states in ways that may not serve their actual interests at all.

i believe we can find better ways in future to operate more honestly and intelligently and hope we survive long enough to find out.