I have a “main process” that I interpret as my self. But, it’s running on a system with a bunch of other processes.
One big competing subprocess is called avoid discomfort
Now it makes sense why this exists. This drives humans to obtain food, to maintain homeostasis. It’s intended to be adaptive. But it can be maladaptive.
Key: this subprocess is distinct from me. I can decide to ignore it’s instructions.
Here are some examples of times when ignoring the avoid discomfort messages have been helpful:
- Not eating food for a bit. Can increase concentration and just generally feels good sometimes.
- Ignoring messages wrt social anxiety. E.g., just overriding
avoid discomfortand running mywhat are nice things to say to help someone feel cared about, and to be supportive and nicesoftware. See talking to people - Overriding “go back to bed” tired brain message and just getting out of bed and running around.
- Overriding “this is hard” message wrt math and trying some more anyways.
Honestly the more you look at it, the avoid discomfort software really looks like a virus.
Can this virus be contagious? Yes: pressure towards conformity is real — if you surround yourself with lazy people, it’s easier to be lazy.
The cure certainly can be contagious: it can be inspirational to see other people override this process.
In any case, neither of these are strict rules. I think if you develop the right mindset then actually being exposed to examples of other people being ruled by avoid discomfort can further repulse you from this habit. But you want to be a little careful with this (avoid judging people harshly).
So, at this point it should be clear that it is often desirable to override avoid discomfort signals.
But, they are nontrivial to override. I don’t think there is really a kill -9 for them.
I’m not even sure it’d actually be that good if there were a kill -9 button….
I’ll try to address the issue of How to deal with avoid discomfort signals? another time.