Journals of Lord Malinov

the poetry of madness

biod

Biofeedback uses simple electronics to translate physical information into a sensory language that can be understood and manipulated by the mind.  By measuring body conditions and making the mind aware of changes in body conditions, biofeedback creates self-awareness far beyond what can be accomplished without tools.

Learning to recognize and know - both consciously and unconsciously - changes in body states opens a field of vision that is unavailable in the noise of constant distress and panic.  The body responses can be reserved for instances of mortal danger while the mind is left in peace to deal with non-mortal issues.  

A simple GSR (galvanic skin response) device provides an output signal proportional to the resistance of our skin. Pores close in response to flight-fight response stimuli, to prevent bleeding, etc.  Because of the high density of pores in the fingers and toes, these areas are usually used for measurement.  A small current is sent through the skin between two electrodes and then balanced using a wheatstone bridge or some equivalent arrangement, providing the output signal in response to the balancing. 

Because the flight-fight response creates physical stimulation in response to provocational stimuli, either positive or negative, the physical arousal level measured by the GSR can be correlated to emotional arousal. GSRs have been used as lie detectors by assuming increased physical arousal is necessarily the result of lying.  Actually, telling the truth might be more arousing in some circumstances.  No wonder they don't allow lie detector evidence into court.

The language aspect is critical.  The idea of conditioning is too simple, a linear approach.  We don't condition well, as human beings, because we have (sometimes) the ability to learn and learning always trumps conditioning.

Skinner said the autonomic responses - involuntary responses - can't be conditioned, and he was generally right.  We can condition them a little, big whoop.  However, our autonomic responses can be taught their role with a brief dose of physical awareness.  Language is our truest limit.  We must teach ourselves to speak within ourselves. 

Did you get that down?  Take out the probably.  Makes me sound wishy washy.

Driving with my daughter, I told her the story of Tess of the D'Urbervilles.  I realized that she wouldn't read the novel for many years yet, but she should be full aware of the difficult life of her namesake. 

Interestingly, it was difficult to tell some parts of the story without tears.  Since I have discovered endless calm, I have found myself a bit more readily provoked to tears by artistic emotional content.  The feeling never persists, but the rushes can make telling a story tricky.

Life is more like surfing than anything.  You have to shimmy and shake to stay upright.  There are some general rules to follow, but when the waves come under, you just have to know how to move.

You gotta move, child, you gotta move.  When the Lord gets ready, you gotta move.

My voice is really opening up.  Singing and strumming the guitar have become definite sources of joy.

Enjoy,

M

posted by: Malinov at 10:59 | link | comments |

Comments: