This is part two about computers and life ( Part 1). The basic question to ask is how to program ourselves? However, as we all have tried various methods, it is a very difficult task, as the mind seems to be working according to a clock of its own.
I will lay down three steps to understand the problem in programming ourselves. After all we want to find the perfect algorithm to live by, we should understand how they are structured and operated. It doesn't matter if you are a non-programmer like me. But we are all owners of this wonderful machine of mind. So, we need to understand what is happening.
Step 1: Basic structure of how a computer works.
Step 2: Similarities of computers and our mind.
Step 3: What can we do to program ourselves?
Step 1: Basic structure of how a computer works.
We all have seen; computers consist of hardware and software. It takes up inputs from various input devices like mouse, keyboard, microphone and camera, and even from internet connection etc. And it manipulates the data, according to the set of instructions we have given, in the form of programs, (processing) and outputs the results in a meaningful way, to another program or to ourselves.
Input - processing - output
Step 2: Similarities of computers and our mind.
As a human we get our inputs from our in-built sensory organs, and the mind seems to have some internet connection too! We process our information by some unknown mechanisms and programs which occur in our brains. And we see our output as thoughts. However, we can convert these into meaningful conversations, movements and actions as well.
Input - sensory organs
Processing - in mind
Output - thoughts and actions
When science advanced, we have better understanding of input and output of ourselves, so we have powers to enhance these, however we still do not understand how the mind really works. That is where the real problem is. If we really want to program ourselves to have happy thoughts all the time, no matter what the inputs are, be positive all the time no matter what happens, we need a programming language to write our programs with. So far that does not exist. This gap in science is replaced by various means, like religion, and beliefs. Let us stop there, as otherwise I will have to write a book, not a blog post to explain.
But here, you would argue with me," hold on, thoughts are not outputs, I created them! It is my processing, it's the language. "
I can prove it is not, thoughts are not our programming language.
Proof 1, Can you predict what your next thought would be?
Proof 2, All the thoughts you had during reading of this passage, were influenced by the information I gave you, and information you gathered from the past, (from your hard drive)
Proof 3, Even the English language you use to understand your thoughts are, information you received from the past, and stored.
Leave a comment if you do not agree. After all these are just outputs of whatever information I have received. There is a chance it's all wrong.
Step 3: What can we do to program ourselves?
If you understand the problem, now we should have our answer. Truth is, the question is wrong 'Can we really program ourselves?' is the correct question to ask. We cannot program ourselves simply because we do not know our programming language. Whatever the lifehacks you read about are not going to work, not all the time.
What about habit forming tricks?
What about time management?
What about Pomodoro's, and study groups?
They are just information, they have the ability to change the output we see, in our thoughts and actions. However, information is not the programming language, so outcomes can be variable for variable people.
All we can do is give good healthy information to our machines and wait to see the outcome. That's why traveling works, meditation works. I suggest you change your environment, if our output seems to be not good lately.
You may also like to read: Spectrums of nature - its not always black and white
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