Dame Harmony.
@dameharmony.bsky.social
@affinitygroup.bsky.social's hypnosis account. No shade on the other way, but I'm less about mind control rays and more about the mechanics of taking the mind apart like an engine, knolling it, diagramming it, and putting it back together with some tweaks.
In other words, Amygdala is a framework with which subjects can be trained into arbitrarily complex behaviours.
(You may notice that this could be done without hypnosis. ...Well, sort of. ;3 I would say that training is inherently hypnotic. But it doesn't *require* a trance; the trance just helps.)
(You may notice that this could be done without hypnosis. ...Well, sort of. ;3 I would say that training is inherently hypnotic. But it doesn't *require* a trance; the trance just helps.)
July 9, 2024 at 5:03 AM
In other words, Amygdala is a framework with which subjects can be trained into arbitrarily complex behaviours.
(You may notice that this could be done without hypnosis. ...Well, sort of. ;3 I would say that training is inherently hypnotic. But it doesn't *require* a trance; the trance just helps.)
(You may notice that this could be done without hypnosis. ...Well, sort of. ;3 I would say that training is inherently hypnotic. But it doesn't *require* a trance; the trance just helps.)
You might notice that this ties into what I said in my intro thread: Following a series of commands can collectively help a subject zone out. Pre-interpreting responses is a way to set the mise en place in the mind so that those commands can be more complex without being less automatic.
July 9, 2024 at 5:01 AM
You might notice that this ties into what I said in my intro thread: Following a series of commands can collectively help a subject zone out. Pre-interpreting responses is a way to set the mise en place in the mind so that those commands can be more complex without being less automatic.
Amygdala defines that set of actions and then asks you to get ready for them. That way, all you need to do is wait for the word "balloon", and you already have the actions you want to perform ready, with no mental prep required. That way, it can happen automatically.
July 9, 2024 at 5:00 AM
Amygdala defines that set of actions and then asks you to get ready for them. That way, all you need to do is wait for the word "balloon", and you already have the actions you want to perform ready, with no mental prep required. That way, it can happen automatically.
Like if I tell you to get ready to race, there are things you do in order to get ready. You might get into a stance so you can accelerate as fast as possible off the start, and you might pay very close attention to the person about to say "go", so your reaction time is as low as possible.
July 9, 2024 at 4:58 AM
Like if I tell you to get ready to race, there are things you do in order to get ready. You might get into a stance so you can accelerate as fast as possible off the start, and you might pay very close attention to the person about to say "go", so your reaction time is as low as possible.
When you read a function like the above, you parse everything inside the curly brackets (called a "response") and interpret it, meaning you figure out and prepare to perform what it wants you to do. You do all the processing upfront, determining how exactly you want to perform the response.
July 9, 2024 at 4:57 AM
When you read a function like the above, you parse everything inside the curly brackets (called a "response") and interpret it, meaning you figure out and prepare to perform what it wants you to do. You do all the processing upfront, determining how exactly you want to perform the response.
The technique of reading Amygdala is something I came up with. I'm sure I'm standing on the shoulders of giants here, I don't claim to have invented it ex nihilo, but I think I'm genuinely doing something interesting here with the way I direct subjects to read code.
July 9, 2024 at 4:55 AM
The technique of reading Amygdala is something I came up with. I'm sure I'm standing on the shoulders of giants here, I don't claim to have invented it ex nihilo, but I think I'm genuinely doing something interesting here with the way I direct subjects to read code.
The syntax is only a way to formalize the things that we're already capable of doing: We can already associate words with definitions, and we can already change how we interpret signs and symbols based on context. That's all we need to create different effects.
July 9, 2024 at 4:54 AM
The syntax is only a way to formalize the things that we're already capable of doing: We can already associate words with definitions, and we can already change how we interpret signs and symbols based on context. That's all we need to create different effects.
Or if I make up a code word for something, say, "red" means your left arm and "blue" means your right arm.
So if I use the phrase "balloon red", it can expand to "[lift] [your left arm]".
We have now drawn a parallel to what in programming is called a function.
So if I use the phrase "balloon red", it can expand to "[lift] [your left arm]".
We have now drawn a parallel to what in programming is called a function.
July 9, 2024 at 4:52 AM
Or if I make up a code word for something, say, "red" means your left arm and "blue" means your right arm.
So if I use the phrase "balloon red", it can expand to "[lift] [your left arm]".
We have now drawn a parallel to what in programming is called a function.
So if I use the phrase "balloon red", it can expand to "[lift] [your left arm]".
We have now drawn a parallel to what in programming is called a function.
So what if instead we play a game where "balloon" means to lift your arm into the air, as if pulled upwards by a balloon? And then I say "balloon".
Now "balloon", within the game we're playing, *means* to lift your arm, regardless of its previous definition.
Now "balloon", within the game we're playing, *means* to lift your arm, regardless of its previous definition.
July 9, 2024 at 4:46 AM
So what if instead we play a game where "balloon" means to lift your arm into the air, as if pulled upwards by a balloon? And then I say "balloon".
Now "balloon", within the game we're playing, *means* to lift your arm, regardless of its previous definition.
Now "balloon", within the game we're playing, *means* to lift your arm, regardless of its previous definition.
Context shapes the meaning of words; words can therefore be defined and redefined to create new contexts.
If I say "go" during a race, you know to start running. You wren't born knowing that; at some point, you learned that "go" means to start playing, and learned to play the game we call a race.
If I say "go" during a race, you know to start running. You wren't born knowing that; at some point, you learned that "go" means to start playing, and learned to play the game we call a race.
July 9, 2024 at 4:45 AM
Context shapes the meaning of words; words can therefore be defined and redefined to create new contexts.
If I say "go" during a race, you know to start running. You wren't born knowing that; at some point, you learned that "go" means to start playing, and learned to play the game we call a race.
If I say "go" during a race, you know to start running. You wren't born knowing that; at some point, you learned that "go" means to start playing, and learned to play the game we call a race.
The second thing is equivalency. What does the word "goal" mean? It generally means an objective you're trying to achieve.
...Unless you're playing hockey, in which case it can mean a point representing the completion of that objective.
...Unless you're playing hockey, in which case it can mean a point representing the completion of that objective.
July 9, 2024 at 4:42 AM
The second thing is equivalency. What does the word "goal" mean? It generally means an objective you're trying to achieve.
...Unless you're playing hockey, in which case it can mean a point representing the completion of that objective.
...Unless you're playing hockey, in which case it can mean a point representing the completion of that objective.
We already have the ability within us to change how we think, how we act, how we perceive the world. We just have to be playing the right game.
Amygdala intends to define the rules of that game.
Amygdala intends to define the rules of that game.
July 9, 2024 at 4:39 AM
We already have the ability within us to change how we think, how we act, how we perceive the world. We just have to be playing the right game.
Amygdala intends to define the rules of that game.
Amygdala intends to define the rules of that game.
Within the confines of the game, that's not only permitted but an obvious and celebrated part of the game. The incentive structures, game mechanics, available tools, and metagame combine to produce completely different behaviour, even different values, while we're playing them.
July 9, 2024 at 4:38 AM
Within the confines of the game, that's not only permitted but an obvious and celebrated part of the game. The incentive structures, game mechanics, available tools, and metagame combine to produce completely different behaviour, even different values, while we're playing them.
First up, the magic circle. This is a term coined to describe the way that games allow us to effectively become different people while playing it. You wouldn't ever dream of throwing someone to the ground to steal what they're carrying, right?
...Well, what if you're playing football?
...Well, what if you're playing football?
July 9, 2024 at 4:36 AM
First up, the magic circle. This is a term coined to describe the way that games allow us to effectively become different people while playing it. You wouldn't ever dream of throwing someone to the ground to steal what they're carrying, right?
...Well, what if you're playing football?
...Well, what if you're playing football?
There are two major principles about how the brain works that I'm working from. One is the concept of the magic circle, and one is the concept of drawing equivalences.
July 9, 2024 at 4:35 AM
There are two major principles about how the brain works that I'm working from. One is the concept of the magic circle, and one is the concept of drawing equivalences.
And it's tempting to say "that's the hypnosis, the part where I say 'sleep'". But then how did I get you to follow along nigh-automatically with it in the first place? The hypnosis is *already happening* long before that.
It's a subtle thing. But that's why I want to talk about it. It's neat. 🥔
It's a subtle thing. But that's why I want to talk about it. It's neat. 🥔
July 8, 2024 at 8:13 AM
And it's tempting to say "that's the hypnosis, the part where I say 'sleep'". But then how did I get you to follow along nigh-automatically with it in the first place? The hypnosis is *already happening* long before that.
It's a subtle thing. But that's why I want to talk about it. It's neat. 🥔
It's a subtle thing. But that's why I want to talk about it. It's neat. 🥔
From here it's possible that I'll be able to redirect the cycle, or exploit it. If I ask you to do a series of actions and you do, and then in the same tone and cadence I ask you to relax, close your eyes, and sleep, your brain is already trained to follow along without questioning it too much.
July 8, 2024 at 8:13 AM
From here it's possible that I'll be able to redirect the cycle, or exploit it. If I ask you to do a series of actions and you do, and then in the same tone and cadence I ask you to relax, close your eyes, and sleep, your brain is already trained to follow along without questioning it too much.
It'll stop filtering as much, too. It's a way to help draw down your guard, not in a malevolent way, but to unlock new opportunities. As these requests stack up, your brain will stop checking them as much, simply because it'll start assuming that they'll all be as safe as what came before.
July 8, 2024 at 8:12 AM
It'll stop filtering as much, too. It's a way to help draw down your guard, not in a malevolent way, but to unlock new opportunities. As these requests stack up, your brain will stop checking them as much, simply because it'll start assuming that they'll all be as safe as what came before.
That's one way to tap into what the brain does naturally. If I ask you to perform a very simple series of instructions, eventually, you'll start to zone out performing them, especially if they're in a cycle, in the same way. The brain doesn't need to pay much attention, just do the thing.
July 8, 2024 at 8:12 AM
That's one way to tap into what the brain does naturally. If I ask you to perform a very simple series of instructions, eventually, you'll start to zone out performing them, especially if they're in a cycle, in the same way. The brain doesn't need to pay much attention, just do the thing.
It's that act of following along that's powerful. Have you ever performed a repetitive task that you can kind of zone out to? The act of doing it repeatedly means that you don't have to think about it as much. It can be meditative: Nothing needed except to perform an easy set of steps over and over.
July 8, 2024 at 7:52 AM
It's that act of following along that's powerful. Have you ever performed a repetitive task that you can kind of zone out to? The act of doing it repeatedly means that you don't have to think about it as much. It can be meditative: Nothing needed except to perform an easy set of steps over and over.
Like, hypothetically, say I ask you to look at this dot:
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That's not really a ~hypnotic suggestion~, right? I didn't compel you to do it, even if you did it. *But*, if you did, that means that you're willing to follow along.
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That's not really a ~hypnotic suggestion~, right? I didn't compel you to do it, even if you did it. *But*, if you did, that means that you're willing to follow along.
July 8, 2024 at 7:50 AM
Like, hypothetically, say I ask you to look at this dot:
.
That's not really a ~hypnotic suggestion~, right? I didn't compel you to do it, even if you did it. *But*, if you did, that means that you're willing to follow along.
.
That's not really a ~hypnotic suggestion~, right? I didn't compel you to do it, even if you did it. *But*, if you did, that means that you're willing to follow along.
The hypnosis I'm into is more about, if I say something to you, what happens? What's happening now as you read these words? And how can we -- preferably *we*, no coercion required -- utilize the mechanisms that already exist to enact changes to the way you think, feel, perceive, or act?
July 8, 2024 at 7:47 AM
The hypnosis I'm into is more about, if I say something to you, what happens? What's happening now as you read these words? And how can we -- preferably *we*, no coercion required -- utilize the mechanisms that already exist to enact changes to the way you think, feel, perceive, or act?
When people hear "hypnosis", I think there are a lot of different associations people have. Some sort of supernatural force that compels action, for example. Or some kind of hack that allows a hypnotist to make you cluck like a chicken. The hypnosis I'm into is neither of these.
July 8, 2024 at 7:46 AM
When people hear "hypnosis", I think there are a lot of different associations people have. Some sort of supernatural force that compels action, for example. Or some kind of hack that allows a hypnotist to make you cluck like a chicken. The hypnosis I'm into is neither of these.