Major and minor scales of consciousness (with Andrés Gomez Emilsson)

Oct 13, 2021 1h 18m 7 insights Episode Page ↗
Andres Gomez-Emilson discusses his theory that pleasure and pain follow logarithmic scales and are tied to the structural symmetry and harmony of neural activity. He explains how this "Symmetry Theory of Valence" could allow for objective quantification of consciousness intensity, revolutionizing effective altruism's approach to suffering reduction.
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Extreme Suffering Reduction

Focus efforts on preventing or treating the most intense negative states of consciousness (the “1% of negative states”) because they account for a disproportionately large amount of total suffering, potentially eliminating 90% of suffering.

2. Support Valence Quantification Research

For effective altruism, support research into objectively quantifying valence across species (e.g., via connectome-specific harmonic waves) to identify and prioritize the most intense states of suffering for effective intervention.

3. Cultivate Symmetrical States for Well-being

Engage in practices like meditation to achieve tranquil, symmetrical, and low-energy states of consciousness, as these harmonious configurations are fundamentally associated with pleasant experiences.

4. Enhance Well-being via Heart Coherence

Practice techniques that promote heart coherence—the harmonious synchronization of biorhythms like heart rate and breathing—as it is linked to extremely pleasant states and can reduce anxiety.

5. Embrace Productive Discomfort

When engaging in complex problem-solving or learning, accept being “slightly off” a perfectly settled, symmetrical state, as this unsettledness is necessary for computationally useful work and understanding.

6. Address Boredom with Stimulation or Meditation

Recognize boredom as an unpleasant form of neuronal dissonance and alleviate it through appropriate stimulation or by engaging in meditative practices to restore harmony.

7. Seek Firsthand Experience of Intensity

To grasp the concept of logarithmic scales of pleasure and pain, engage in firsthand experiences that demonstrate varying intensities of sensory input, such as trying different levels of hot sauces.