Week 7-8

 Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?

The virtual stimulation theory challenges the ability to decipher actual reality, versus a created reality. Do we as humans truly see what see, and believe what we see to be true because that is what it actually is or because that is what we have tricked and convinced ourselves into believing it is. The reading challenged whether or no consciousness is physical. Consciousness to me is an energy or a “language.” It is a means of translation and communication between ourselves and the world around us. Our conscious, or more so awareness challenges our physical and mental reactions. For instance in the film the Disneyland of Consciousness, while the individual was riding the ride the Haunted Mansion when they saw the headless image in the crystal ball they were frightened, why? Because as far as they were aware, or the most they were conscious of is that there was no other explanation for that headless figure in that glass ball to be anything else other than a human being. This is only because their reality or consciousness at that given moment did not allow or was not aware of the new technology of projected images. So, let’s say there is an individual who knew right away that it was nothing more than merely a projected image, within that very moment we have two human beings witnessing the same phenomenon but both or viewing it with two different realities. The actual reality would be that it was a projected image, but that is only the reality of the aware. Someone who is not aware, or conscious of this idea has formed their own reality to protect their mind, their sanity, and to allow them to comprehend what is occurring in front of them.

I can’t say that our brain “tricks” us. I would day our brain formats and breaks down what at the time makes sense to us. I think reflective thought and knowledge change our perception and interpretation of things. However, when you believe something you truly believe it until proven otherwise. When the older woman believed that the Abraham Lincoln Animation was a real human being performing, I wouldn’t say that her brain tricked her, with what she was conscious of and with what she was aware of her brain provided her a belief that she truly held to be true until she learned otherwise. To say our brain tricks us, would make our minds an entity outside of ourselves, and do we truly believe we do not hold control over our minds and over the thoughts we process and hold to be evident. It all comes back to the discussion of reality. Whether it is a simulated reality, or actual reality. Only a truly aware being can determine and decipher between the two, and they can only do that with the knowledge that is bestowed upon them and they knowledge that they already possess.