Tosper's Notes

Not JUST Psychology

2008-09-13T01:53:00.000-07:00

Currently working on the visual representation of number/digit strings for pattern analysis. Confusing as that may be, layman's terms: pictures made from numbers to look for patterns in them. Nobuto and I are working together on this using Processing, which is available for free to download here: http://www.processing.org. It's all quite interesting and fun. Wondering if I could make something to simulate the sphere model also.

The Rift

2008-07-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone experiences what I prefer to title "The Rift". The Rift is a gap between individuals which defines our social relationships. For example: when you go to the mall, or to any area in which a large number of people temporarily gather, you have the tendency to avoid communication with anyone who you do not already know. This "Rift" is caused by our lack of trust with one another; these people whom you have never met before are known as outsiders. Referring back to the basic ideals of humanity in the ideology of the "Tribe", each of these other individuals is from a different tribe rather than our own. They have no biological or social link to us as the individual. We are even less likely to associate with groups of unknown individuals in these settings. Due to being clustered, we have a more definitive idea of their membership to a different tribe rather than our own, as well as with the possibility that we lack the traits that have brought these people together as a group. Self preservation in this case also comes into play - one man could not protect himself properly against a group (though in this modern age we must factor in a variety of other variables, but for the sake of argument we shall exclude these).

Every single human being has placed his or herself within a group of some type. We are citizens of nations, coworkers, friends, and family. These are all based upon similar traits among said group's membership. Nations are based upon geographic location and citizenship (a physical representation of which group on this scale you are a member of). Coworkers all have the same company and job in common. Friends have a variety of traits in common that usually involve goals, physical traits, beliefs, or ideas. Family members share genetic material and typically are similar due to this, given the hereditary nature of a number of our characteristics.

Yet, it must also be realized that each of these groups contains its fair share of "black sheep" - those who deviate from the norm of said group. The black sheep are typically partially excluded from their group, whether on their own accord or that of the other members. They remain in their group due to being unwillingly placed into that group, positioned into the group yet being disliked for other characteristics besides the common trait, or having found a group in which they are mildly appreciated as they continue on their path to find a group in which they may finally settle within.

Defining Arguments and Violent Arguments

2008-06-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Arguments are a characteristic portion of our lives. Families, co-workers, and friends, they argue over any number of things. The main question is - what divides an argument from a discussion? An argument is typically distinguished by its participants maintaining an extremely high emotional level throughout the conversation whereas a discussion is typically lacking this emotional whirlwind. In reality this is actually the definition of a "violent argument," an argument being in fact; A discussion in which disagreement is expressed; a debate - The American Heritage Dictionary. Discussion and typical arguments are one in the same; on the other hand, discussions and violent arguments are extremely different.

Violent arguments contain extremely high levels of emotion by BOTH parties, regardless of their control over these emotions or not, should they be present, a violent argument is occurring.

Circles, spheres, and society (part 1)

2008-06-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

Circles are ever present within nature, as are most geometric shapes, yet in addition to this it may be realized that they are also stable representations of our social relationships. Within the center of these circles is our self, our connection to our own consciousness - this portion of the circles has no name. It is merely known as the center.

The following portion of the circles is the null circle; this is occupied by those closest to you, typically with only one or two people whom you know. You share everything with those here, but they are not related to you, nor are you in a loving relationship with them.

The first circle, continuing to move outward from the center, is composed of the lovers. Your family, your wife, etc., are in this circle as well as those who you have formed brotherly or sisterly relationships with, regardless of relation. You cannot share everything with the people you include within this circle because for the sake of your relationships with them, a degree of secrecy is required.

The second circle consists of typical friends, your neighbors, the guys at the bar, people who you have actual conversations with. You discuss points, make arguments, and converse about the goings on in your lives.

From here outward, we come to merely ever-increasing degrees of distance; the third circle is made up of friends who you rarely have actual conversations with but still speak to on a daily basis. The fourth is those who you rarely speak to but will still associate with at least once a week.

We come eventually to those who you have never met, but you live in the same city as. Those who you've never met, but live in the same providence or state as (depending of course upon the country). Moving even further, we arrive at those who are a part of the same culture or religion as you are, anything that creates a group's mindset. Then moving into a more general geographic location, and finally the world view; a circle encompassing all of humanity on Earth. It is one of my hopes that eventually there will be another circle, encompassing humanity on another planet, but that's for another post...And finally we reach a circle that encompasses all that is known, it might as well be called the universal circle, or in contrast to the null circle, the infinite circle.

Defining the mind...

2008-06-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

There is a definable difference between the thought processes that occur in various individual people; in no single case are they identical. Motives, ego, and sense of purpose each influence, in varying degrees, the basis of our individual thoughts. Humans are defined by said variables as well as countless others. One of the foremost variables is that of maturity - altering of the senses and understanding of the self.

Those who are mature will recognize the effects of both their own characteristics and their own actions upon others. With this definition of mature in mind (no pun intended), it is possible for a mere child to be more mature than an adult is. Although experience is still related to maturity, it is entirely possible for someone to fail to learn from his or her experiences.

With maturity, humans begin to realize their effects upon others, which is in truth our existence in the universe. There is also a connection between one’s personal consciousness and the consciousness of others. These others are also defined through their own connections to people by the rate and level of emotional and mental information exchanged among the participating parties (how close and how strong the bond between two people is). Each of these connections in the vast societal network is constantly being altered and the sense of self alters with it as it is updated and changed.