Posted by Q (198.64.206.92) on January 17, 2000 at 15:35:40:
In Reply to: Brain is all mixed up. posted by Russell on January 17, 2000 at 13:18:11:
I also see CH as a complex activity, bordering on chaos, which makes the butterfly theory work, to a point.
The missing link in the butterfly theory is the lack of purpose. CH is not random. There is a well defined pattern. More precisely, there are patterns within patterns within patterns. Zoom in and you see one aspect, zoom-out and another comes into focus. CH uses one of the most primitive mechanisms known, pain. In the case of CH, the purity of the pain is itself remarkable. This leads me to look for the opposite, since the universe seems to be built upon polar-extremes. These opposites seem to keep everything in motion and in-balance. The opposite of pain is not painlessness, the absence of pain, but an extreme form of pleasure -- Euphoria seems to fit.
Further, using pain as the mechanism for seeking euphoria is simple. The euphoria-seeking organism can also use the pain to obfuscate its real purpose. This simple method furthers the euphoria-seeking component as the host-organism will seek to drive the pain away, failing to address the real culprit because it is hidden in a far corner of the room. It has that Alfred E. Neuman "Who Me?" grin. Not me! I only seek euphoria! I have nothing to do with your pain. Yea, Right.