Part 2 – Physical and Virtual Manifestations of the Cycle

More perspectives on the same thing

Travel / Life Experiences

It’s fashionable these days to take photographs and videos of places we travel to, our vacations, and of our life experiences.  Is the memory of something not good enough? Should we document out first kisses?  Sexual experiences? Or maybe – they are special – without documenting them.

Taking photographs and shooting videos have many downsides which the equipment makers don’t  advertise. It isn’t in their self-interest, of course.  Some relate to the culture of proof – those will be discussed here.

Some will say they want to share their trip experiences with others. How much of a place is conveyed by 2-D photos or even 3-D videos? Quite often an abstract impression – unless it is well documented and studied. And in the end – who are we traveling for? Others or ourselves? Are we trying to prove to others that we went to places when we “want our picture taken” in front of a particular place. Or do we want to just prove to ourselves? Self-evidence.

When we travel without constantly taking photos with a subconscious desire to gather “evidence” of our travel for others OR ourselves – a very different experience may be had with different lessons.

-- Photos reinforce the idea of "acquiring things / memories / emotions."  (A physical reward)

– Photos may "romanticize / idealize - positive or negative" a place / person / time period. (Reward distortion)

– Photos are another form of souvenirs -- a mental souvenir. As if our mind / memory is not good enough.  

– When we take photos we let the trip become the focus, not the journey of the self.

Additional downsides / reasons to not take photographs are in the Appendix.

Internet

On the Internet – proof comes in the form of followers  to our blog(s) or our Twitter accounts. The # of friends we have on Facebook or Facebook fans of a group we created / belong to.  “Llike/dislikes” on Youtube or our favorite news website. For authors – star ratings, for reviewers – # of media reviews and “helpful/unhelpful votes.”  Couchsurfing positive / negative references. It’s a popularity contest that never ends. A contest rooted in the feedback loop of proof – to others or ourselves. The contest also dictates what gets written / reported about. “Popular” items get more attention to the point where “important” items of less interest, get forgotten.

TV, Movies, Video Games

Most all movies / media there is an expectation of reward for “doing good” by the protagonist / “superhero(ine).”  If not money, then love in one of it’s many forms such as “getting the girl/boy.”  Or maybe fame with adoration and admirers. Or some grand enlightenment often summed up in a self-realization by the character. One way or another – a happy ending.  Thus the cycle is doing something to receive something else. Don’t many actors / entertainers have low self-esteem?  They need FANs.

1st person video games -- being a hero

Self Esteem and Actors – Actors & Musicians Low Self-Esteem –  Actors / Comedians–No Self-Esteem?

Writing

In most primary education schools we are taught to read and write. Has anyone ever questioned whether this practice is actually good? We are encouraged to write reports, opinions, reviews, and papers of a “1000 different stripes.” When we write “good papers” we are given “good GRAdes (CRIEDes)” with an implication of greater rewards by parents or society.  Sometimes these papers are indeed written with “Blood, sweat, and TEARs”  as the expression goes.

Speaking of tears, think of all the poems, songs, passionate arguments on paper - for a court of law or otherwise, or any paper trying to get others (Or thyself) to see another perspective. PLEAs (Please) for others to open their eyes / change behavior. Words to help create products to "help" others - product reQUIRements (CHOIR / CRYER).

Writing then is the act / art of crying teardrops on paper.  Words as TEARdrops from our fingertips.  Does that mean we are encouraged to CRY? Going a step further – that we must prove ourselves worthy by CRYing on paper?

Hoarding

woman – man

Another physical manifestation is the accumulation of material items. Aside from those things we accumulate for a “genuine need,” are the things we keep that don’t fill a particular “need.” These are the things we collect and/or don’t want to get rid of. The cycle of proof is operating 1) When to buy / acquire “it.”  2) When we decide to keep it.

For #1 – At the point of sale – do we buy things because we think they will make our life easier. Or is it that we buy things to reward ourselves subconsciously for “doing good things for ourselves / others” / for learning.

For #2 – When we keep things – it is proof of material success in some cases. Or proof of an experience (A certificate for example  – advancement in martial arts, a first skydive, and so on). Material or experience, both are forms of proof to self.  In other cases it is the proof required by others.  Tax authorities want receipts printed so business owners do not underreport sales and/or to keep (prove) employees honest.  Thus paper accumulates in printed or digital form. Also for proof of transactions, account statements,  business records, receipts for returns / warranty, and so on.

“Keeping things” is reinforced by the cycle of proof.

The author of this paper has had a habit of collecting and organizing information. From physical filing cabinets to digital files. And in the Internet age – bookmarking web articles and videos