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[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology Psychology] is another huge topic that will be distilled to a few paragraphs that can't possibly do it [[justice]].
[[File:Brain-Creating-The-Universe.jpeg|thumb|[[Brains]] in space!]]
[[wikipedia:Psychology|Psychology]] is another huge topic that will be distilled to a few paragraphs that can't possibly do it [[justice]]. Keep in mind we're here to [[Connections|put the pieces together]], not to provide all the background [[information]].<blockquote>''“If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.”''  -[[wikipedia:Abraham_Maslow|Abraham Maslow]]</blockquote>Since a primary [[goal]] of this [[wiki]] is to provide [[scientific]] grounding for valid [[spiritual]] [[concepts]], psychology is naturally the field of study most relevant to this endeavor. The vast majority of [[religious]] [[belief]] and [[Rituals|practice]] has to do with the study of the self, the [[mind]], and how we [[work]] together in [[societies]]. Research into the [[brain]] has given us ample [[evidence]] for how and why they work to produce [[happiness]]. This helps deepen your [[ethical]] [[convictions]] without reliance on [[faith]].


== Psychology Pages ==
== Psychology Pages ==


Related [[wiki]] pages about mental stuff.
Related [[wiki]] pages about [[mental]] stuff.


* [[Brain]]
* '''[[Brain]], [[Neural Networks]],''' and [[Neurophysiology]]
* [[Consciousness]]
* '''[[Consciousness]]''' and [[Subjective]] [[Mind]]
* [[God Concept]]
* [[Free will|'''Free Will''']] and '''[[Addiction]]'''
* [[Happiness and Well-Being|'''Happiness and Well-Being''']] versus [[Suffering]]
* [[Meaning of Life|'''Finding Meaning''']] and [[Wonder]]
* '''[[Optimism]]''' and the [[God Concept|'''God Concept''']]
* '''[[Spirituality]]''', [[Religion]], [[In-group|'''In-Group''']], and [[Rituals]]
* '''[[Psychedelics]]'''
* [[Self-aware|Self-Awareness]]
* [[Cognitive Dissonance]]
* [[Cognitive Dissonance]]
* [[Happiness and Well-Being]]
* [[Language]], [[Humor]], and '''[[Persuasion]]'''
* [[Short Term Rewards and Long Term Consequences|Delayed Gratification and Temptation]]
* '''[[Art]]''', [[Music]], [[Poetry]], [[Games]], and [[Dance]]
* '''[[Emotions]]'''
* [[Safety]]
* [[Outrage]], [[Contrarianism]], and [[Trolling]]
* [[Lying]], [[Cheating]], and [[Misinformation]]
* [[Salience|Motivational Salience]], [[Short Term Rewards and Long Term Consequences|Delayed Gratification and Temptation]]
* '''[[Variety]]''' and [[Neuroplasticity]]
* [[Placebo effect|'''Placebo Effect''']]


== Resolving Core Cognitive Dissonance ==
== Positive Psychology ==
[[metaculture]] acknowledges the need to diagnose and treat mental illness and anxiety. However, the study of the human [[mind]] should not focus exclusively on its [[problems]]. In a [[healthy]] [[culture]], the majority of people need to focus on finding greater [[happiness]] and [[meaning]] in [[life]], not treating debilitating conditions. [[wikipedia:Positive_psychology|Positive Psychology]] is the branch of psychology that focuses on improving the [[subjective]] [[experience]] of [[consciousness]], not [[just]] making it tolerable enough to continue participating in [[capitalism]].


[[metaculture]] offers a novel solution to a key problem faced in the field of [[psychology]]. That problem is the [[cognitive dissonance]] caused by the differences between our [[religion]] and [[spiritual]] [[belief systems]] and the [[scientific]] [[reality]] of the [[universe]] that we exist in.
There is also [[evidence]] that pathologizing and focusing attention on psychological traits that are [[probably]] within the boundaries of normal human behavior is also damaging. That is why this [[wiki]] doesn't spend much [[time]] ruminating on [[These things are bad, mkay?|things that are bad]].


As [[science]] and [[technology]] progresses, more and more of what we learn comes in conflict with [[scripture]] [[literalism]]. There are a few mental strategies for dealing with this:
The focus of this [[wiki]] is not to replicate the [[wikipedia:Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders|DSM]]. It is to give you practical insights in to how the [[brain]] and [[consciousness]] work, and how to construct a [[Belief System|belief system]] that provides [[meaning]] and maximizes [[happiness]]. By doing so, you can inoculate yourself against many of the disorders that you'll find in the [[wikipedia:Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders|DSM]]. But if you've got serious problems, see a therapist, not a [[wiki]].


# Ignore all of it and take a deep dive into superficiality and [[consumerism]]
For more [[information]], check out these [[Organizations#Positive Psychology|Positive Psychology Resources]].
# Adopt the position that [[science]] is wrong and [[literalism]] is right start a [[war]] with [[reality]]
# Adopt the position that [[science]] is right and [[religion]] is wrong and start a [[war]] with your [[culture]] and your ancestors
# Interpret [[scripture]] as [[allegory]] to find a [[belief system]] where both can be true


4 is the choice that would be best for anyone's [[mental health]] due to the obvious [[cognitive dissonance]] benefits of resolving such a deep conflict that sits at the [[generating equation|very core of our souls]]. However, most people choose 1, 2, or 3 and this is the root cause of a lot of unnecessary mental anguish in modern society that manifests itself in any number of debilitating disorders and general anxiety.
== Self-Help, Optimization, Therapy, and Neuroscience ==
Depending on your [[political]] persuasion, you may see psychology and [[spirituality]] from the [[perspective]] of self-help, optimization, therapy, or neuroscience. Here is a summary of these [[perspectives]].


The reason for this is that [[religion]] is the system that humans have constructed to create [[rituals]] that harness the [[placebo effect]] to regulate our [[emotions]]. Without the ability to believe and practice these [[rituals]] fully, we no longer experience their benefits. And even if we try our hardest to believe, the [[placebo effect]] is still diminished due to the mountain of [[scientific]] [[reality]] that you are forced to ignore or rationalize.
This insight is borrowed from James Pogue and Ezra Klein's excellent interview about the alliance between alt-right [[authoritarianism]] and [[technology]] [[oligarchs]]. [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-james-pogue.html][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daNlhwAWnMA]


[[metaculture]] will provide a framework for a [[belief system]] and [[rituals]] that will allow modern and [[future]] people to harness the power of the [[placebo effect]] with [https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/placebo-can-work-even-know-placebo-201607079926 full awareness of what they are doing]. This will allow [[rituals]] and sugar pills to replace many expensive and ineffective medicines that can never treat the issue of fundamental conflict between one's core [[belief system]] and [[reality]].
=== Self-Help ===
The self-help perspective focuses on [[positive]] affirmations, [[good]] [[habits]], and other generic advice. It provides some practical tools to help you develop good habits and achieve goals, but doesn't provide any deep understanding of how the [[brain]] works. It is [[politically]] centrist and blindly pro-[[capitalist]].


Part of this is the internalized [[ritual]] of the [[god concept]], which creates a built-in sense of optimism about the [[universe|world]] and positive interpretations of all of [[life]]'s [[emotions|ups and downs]].
=== Optimization ===
Optimization is self-help on [[wikipedia:Steroid|steroids]]--sometimes [[Metaphor|metaphorically]], sometimes [[literally]]. It is an obsessive, [[addictive]] view of self-help that tries to maximize every aspect of the self. It uses the term "[https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/abridged-dictionary-maxxing-222904922.html maxxing]." It is popular with the [[manosphere]], [[hustle culture]], and [[crypto-bros]]. They tend to lean [[libertarian]] politically. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00113921221146575]
 
=== Therapy ===
The therapy [[mindset]] focuses on identifying problems within the psyche and either [[wikipedia:Rumination_(psychology)|ruminating]] on them or coming up with creative [[wikipedia:Pharmacology|pharmacological]] methods for suppressing them. These are your stereotypical liberals.
 
=== Neuroscience ===
While members of all [[political]]/psychological persuasions will name-drop neuroscience to sound more credible, the usage here should be considered in contrast to the other three perspectives. The neuroscience perspective considers a [[holistic]] view of the [[brain]], body, and the [[culture]] it exists in. It seeks a robust, [[rational]] understanding of human [[flourishing]] and a [[political]] [[perspective]] that prioritizes [[happiness]] over [[ideology]] and [[monetary addiction]]. It doesn't fully align to any current [[political]] movement, though [[progressives]] share many [[values]].
 
The [[Podcast|podcasts]] [https://hiddenbrain.org/ Hidden Brain], [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821 10% Happier], [https://www.ted.com/podcasts/how-to-be-a-better-human How To Be A Better Human] and others [[Podcast|on this list]] exemplify this approach to self-help.
 
== What Is Psychology? ==
 
Learn the basics. There's one for [[kids]], one for adults, and the complete intro course from Yale for you to choose from.
 
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4mWEaxUpP4||center|Introduction to Psychology|frame}}
<br>
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo4pMVb0R6M||center|Crash Course Psychology #1 - Intro|frame}}
<br>
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3FKHH2RzjI&list=PL6A08EB4EEFF3E91F||center|Yale Introduction to Psychology (Complete Course)|frame}}
 
== Frontier Psychiatry ==
It's psychosomatic! That boy needs therapy.{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLrnkK2YEcE||center|The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist|frame}}
<br>
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V_xRb0x9aw||center|Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood|frame}}

Latest revision as of 10:05, 4 March 2025

Brains in space!

Psychology is another huge topic that will be distilled to a few paragraphs that can't possibly do it justice. Keep in mind we're here to put the pieces together, not to provide all the background information.

“If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.” -Abraham Maslow

Since a primary goal of this wiki is to provide scientific grounding for valid spiritual concepts, psychology is naturally the field of study most relevant to this endeavor. The vast majority of religious belief and practice has to do with the study of the self, the mind, and how we work together in societies. Research into the brain has given us ample evidence for how and why they work to produce happiness. This helps deepen your ethical convictions without reliance on faith.

Psychology Pages

Related wiki pages about mental stuff.

Positive Psychology

metaculture acknowledges the need to diagnose and treat mental illness and anxiety. However, the study of the human mind should not focus exclusively on its problems. In a healthy culture, the majority of people need to focus on finding greater happiness and meaning in life, not treating debilitating conditions. Positive Psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on improving the subjective experience of consciousness, not just making it tolerable enough to continue participating in capitalism.

There is also evidence that pathologizing and focusing attention on psychological traits that are probably within the boundaries of normal human behavior is also damaging. That is why this wiki doesn't spend much time ruminating on things that are bad.

The focus of this wiki is not to replicate the DSM. It is to give you practical insights in to how the brain and consciousness work, and how to construct a belief system that provides meaning and maximizes happiness. By doing so, you can inoculate yourself against many of the disorders that you'll find in the DSM. But if you've got serious problems, see a therapist, not a wiki.

For more information, check out these Positive Psychology Resources.

Self-Help, Optimization, Therapy, and Neuroscience

Depending on your political persuasion, you may see psychology and spirituality from the perspective of self-help, optimization, therapy, or neuroscience. Here is a summary of these perspectives.

This insight is borrowed from James Pogue and Ezra Klein's excellent interview about the alliance between alt-right authoritarianism and technology oligarchs. [1][2]

Self-Help

The self-help perspective focuses on positive affirmations, good habits, and other generic advice. It provides some practical tools to help you develop good habits and achieve goals, but doesn't provide any deep understanding of how the brain works. It is politically centrist and blindly pro-capitalist.

Optimization

Optimization is self-help on steroids--sometimes metaphorically, sometimes literally. It is an obsessive, addictive view of self-help that tries to maximize every aspect of the self. It uses the term "maxxing." It is popular with the manosphere, hustle culture, and crypto-bros. They tend to lean libertarian politically. [3]

Therapy

The therapy mindset focuses on identifying problems within the psyche and either ruminating on them or coming up with creative pharmacological methods for suppressing them. These are your stereotypical liberals.

Neuroscience

While members of all political/psychological persuasions will name-drop neuroscience to sound more credible, the usage here should be considered in contrast to the other three perspectives. The neuroscience perspective considers a holistic view of the brain, body, and the culture it exists in. It seeks a robust, rational understanding of human flourishing and a political perspective that prioritizes happiness over ideology and monetary addiction. It doesn't fully align to any current political movement, though progressives share many values.

The podcasts Hidden Brain, 10% Happier, How To Be A Better Human and others on this list exemplify this approach to self-help.

What Is Psychology?

Learn the basics. There's one for kids, one for adults, and the complete intro course from Yale for you to choose from.

Introduction to Psychology


Crash Course Psychology #1 - Intro


Yale Introduction to Psychology (Complete Course)

Frontier Psychiatry

It's psychosomatic! That boy needs therapy.

The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist


Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood
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