I tell a story therefore I am. Maybe Descartes was on to something. What/who is the 'I' in I am? Am I a character in a story? My consciousness seems to be a running commentary that cobbles together the story/self moment by moment. Is telling a story a good description of what's going on in my head? I like it but I am not sure if it is pure analogy or an accurate take on the process. If I am a character in a story I don't mind it.
Where does the voice come from? How does it start? I think it is the product of a certain state or combination of states in my brain. It is a physical process like digestion - stuff in, organs do their thing and stuff out. The quality of the end product determined by the raw material and the functioning of the organ(s). I don't see the need to add anything nonphysical to the equation - but that is my bias.
What of the voice telling the story? Does everyone's sound the same? Or like audible voices does each come in a different pitch, tone, cadence, accent...? And think about this - there are over 6 billion voices/consciousnesses telling stories simultaneously, continually all day every day. No wonder at the chaos of it all. Incredible that anything gets done. Well maybe not. After all we spend a great deal of time planning, cooperating, imitating and systematizing. In my opinion the trend in our Culture is toward homogeneity in actions and diversity in personal identity. As technology becomes more ubiquitous ever increasing areas of our lives become systematic and symmetrical. This is especially true in our political and economic enterprises. Technological systems will regularize societies across boundaries once thought impregnable to outside influence. I also believe this will serve to decrease boundaries between individuals and energize the slow but sure spread of personal freedom. Each voice will be unshackled from restrictions such as poverty, tyranny and bigotry to be more authentically itself. So, optimist or mad as a hatter? “I don't think..." then you shouldn't talk, said the Hatter.”
What if I stop telling the story? Is that even possible? Probably not consciously. Anyway I wouldn't risk it. Once stopped it may not restart. There will not be a voice/consciousness to decide to start it up again...comatose, catatonic, brain dead.
So is it all about telling a story? I believe 'I' is a character in a story. I believe I am making it up as I go (obviously). I believe in the collective future of all our voices. And how would I know? A little voice told me so.
That's all I have for now.
Where does the voice come from? How does it start? I think it is the product of a certain state or combination of states in my brain. It is a physical process like digestion - stuff in, organs do their thing and stuff out. The quality of the end product determined by the raw material and the functioning of the organ(s). I don't see the need to add anything nonphysical to the equation - but that is my bias.
What of the voice telling the story? Does everyone's sound the same? Or like audible voices does each come in a different pitch, tone, cadence, accent...? And think about this - there are over 6 billion voices/consciousnesses telling stories simultaneously, continually all day every day. No wonder at the chaos of it all. Incredible that anything gets done. Well maybe not. After all we spend a great deal of time planning, cooperating, imitating and systematizing. In my opinion the trend in our Culture is toward homogeneity in actions and diversity in personal identity. As technology becomes more ubiquitous ever increasing areas of our lives become systematic and symmetrical. This is especially true in our political and economic enterprises. Technological systems will regularize societies across boundaries once thought impregnable to outside influence. I also believe this will serve to decrease boundaries between individuals and energize the slow but sure spread of personal freedom. Each voice will be unshackled from restrictions such as poverty, tyranny and bigotry to be more authentically itself. So, optimist or mad as a hatter? “I don't think..." then you shouldn't talk, said the Hatter.”
What if I stop telling the story? Is that even possible? Probably not consciously. Anyway I wouldn't risk it. Once stopped it may not restart. There will not be a voice/consciousness to decide to start it up again...comatose, catatonic, brain dead.
So is it all about telling a story? I believe 'I' is a character in a story. I believe I am making it up as I go (obviously). I believe in the collective future of all our voices. And how would I know? A little voice told me so.
That's all I have for now.