Nov 10 2011: What about frankincense, which was found out to have mood-enhancing properties when used as burnt incense? Or music that encourages theta-wave synchronization? Both are used in cults (specifically, I mean Eastern Rite Orthodox church) but all kinds of groups, like Meijer said, have techniques. What about Peyote? What about emotional abuse? They really don't need oxytocin to reel you in. This kind of manipulation isn't such a bad thing, either. You don't have to give in if you don't want to, and a lot of people like the structure that groups provide, and they like how group rules grease the skids of society. Like the guy said here: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jonathan_haidt_on_the_moral_mind.html
Nov 10 2011: Why not have children from the West Bank and children from Settlements use video cameras to vlog their days (good stuff and bad stuff) and post it all on a website they all go. And then they have message boards and all that. I agree with J. Turner when he said that the old people are not going to change. I know it's technically possible, but my gut tells me no.
I don't know. It's an idea.
Aug 9 2011: victimless and insightful practical jokes. A lot of society's "woes" are ultimately based in individual negative psychological patterns that are common to many people. It's much for efficient to help people to solve their own problems, I think, but a lot of people can't see what's wrong.
Aug 1 2011: Yeah, I think self-control is important, but having control over your mind assumes you can distinguish between the "chatter," logic, and truth. So if someone isn't aware, do they really have control over their minds? Does conscious control of though come with maturity? I do believe you can discipline your mind like you can discipline any other aspect of your life, I think that all discipline comes from discipline of the mind. I think that any knee-jerk reaction based in fear is based in psychological flaws or just in inherent nature, a conditioned response.
For me, when I want to be disciplined, I just remove all external stimuli, take a B-12 pill and have at it. Sometimes singing helps too.
About leaders who seem to be undisciplined in mind, maybe it's because they are, maybe they've all got ADD and focusing comes naturally but sporadically.
Jul 29 2011: If control is not an illusion, then self-control would be the only kind of control that humans can have. You gotta believe, star children!! :D
Jul 29 2011: If emotional abuse is not a crime outside the political arena, then why would it be a crime in politics? Like Lebowski said, "Well, that's like, your opinion, man." Are people too trusting? Am I placing the blame on the wrong side? I've always mistrusted charismatic people. I've always thought, "If they're giving you this much attention, they must want something from you." My family is made up of salesmen, I'm used to the stchik, I know how to see through it. No, I think there will always be people trying to convince you of something that's only half true, and that it's up to the listener to pick and choose and educate themselves, not let someone else do it for them. But then like I said, every piece of information is someone's opinion to an extent, so is anything true? Even your opinion that the blatant lies of the political campaigns are false is just an opinion and should be scrutinized. Even though I agree with you, that's my opinion and is not absolute truth. Gosh, this is dizzying.
Jul 29 2011: Grades hold assumed value like paper currency. Grades only matter if you assign value to humans based on how intelligent they are. But often grades do not measure intelligence. Wierd. How many of you have taken an IQ test and take personal pride in how high your score was? This is the archaic mentality that Barnes is talking about. That's what I think.
Jul 20 2011: I think people try to prove or disprove religion with science because science is something people can understand (or have a strong belief that they understand) and knowing something gives the person power over it. There's no fear of the unknown. With religion, there's a lot of fear of the unknown. That's what I think.
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A comment on Conversation: What's one thing you wish you had learned in school?
A comment on Conversation: What is the best way to tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis?
A comment on Conversation: Since oxytocin can influence trust, is it possible to use it for manipulation? Can "the moral molecule" be used for immoral purposes?
A comment on Conversation: How can projects like TED contribute to solving the Arab-Israeli conflict?
I don't know. It's an idea.
A comment on Conversation: Without spending money, how can I make the biggest impact on my community with 15 minutes/day?
A reply on Conversation: Can You Control Your Mind? or do you discipline your mind?
For me, when I want to be disciplined, I just remove all external stimuli, take a B-12 pill and have at it. Sometimes singing helps too.
About leaders who seem to be undisciplined in mind, maybe it's because they are, maybe they've all got ADD and focusing comes naturally but sporadically.
A comment on Conversation: Can You Control Your Mind? or do you discipline your mind?
A comment on Conversation: Should fear mongering by politicians and governments be considered a crime?
A comment on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?
A comment on Conversation: Why people are trying to find a bridge between religion and science?