I find that sometimes my brain obeys all these different kinds of social pressures when I argue, such as...

-fear that my views will not be acceptable to others in the thread.
-fear that if I don't use acceptable terminology and certain excepted cultural frames, that my arguments won't be seen as valid.
-an attempt to adopt the frames of my opponent in order to be more persuasive.
-a desire to offend or be abrasive in response to same or bullying of others.
-worry about being branded something or other and dismissed.
-fear that my views will be dismissed because they don't match up with how a particular issue has been painted by various aspects of culture.
....among other things

And other times (when I vape, or I'm really relaxed, or really concentrate, or when I feel this mysterious energy to set some record straight) all of that bullshit goes away and I speak with clarity and complete candor.



Usually (but not always), when I do this my arguments seem much more offensive to my opponents, despite the fact that they are always more reasoned and civil. Those who agree with me like these comments much better, probably because they are both more straightforward, spoken with more confidence and more civil. Most importantly, I find that people who are on the fence are more likely to take my side when I make arguments from this brainstate. I tend to feel more open to everyone who argues in this brainstate, whether I agree with them or not. I also basically don't get offended by anything when in this mode.

I interpret this as that I have two argument minds, a more primative fear based mind and a more empathy and courage based mind. I'm in the empathy mind right now, or I would be writing slightly kooky, curious and inquisitive sift talk posts like this.

To the science people: What is happening to my brain as it shifts from these modes? Is there writing and research on this kind of stuff? Why does it shift? Does everyone feel something similar to this? If I know one is better than the other, why do I sometimes choose the worse route? (I probably know the answer to that: concentrate on making it happens and it probably will. - but writing this is a bit of a way to do that.) Is there someway to encourage others to go to the empathy mind state.

I notice other people make this shift too, and I know they must feel the same thing. I also find that my understanding of this concept helps me see through all the bullshit and manipulation of others when they are in their fear minds.

Anyway, it's tough to discuss this stuff, because there isn't much framework to do so, no terms, no cultural references or well known info on it to crib from (or is there?). I'd be interested to hear people discuss this phenomena. I feel like if everyone could switch to this empathy brainstate we'd be better off. I also feel like so much negativity in media and cultural encourages use of the fear brain. It also seems like some people deliberately tries to instil this brainstate in others for various reasons.

Part of my fear brain says this post could be seen as condescending in some ways, too revealing and open in some ways, vain in some ways, goofy in some ways, drug induced nonsense in some ways, a little schitzo in some ways, a little self serving in some ways, etc. But I say fuck you to that fear brain right now.

I'd love us to talk about those weird and abstract things we humans often think about and don't discuss.