Ivan Pavlov experimented with the conditioning aspects of life forms (dogs) & as a result, proved his theory. Simply put: He would ring a bell & then feed his dogs. After a time, when the bell sounded, the dogs salivated knowing food was on its way. The dogs were conditioned via behaviors to react. Then, the food did not come right away, but they still salivated when they heard the bell. This is a form of hypnosis/control found in the realms of mankind too. We are surrounded by various "reaction" triggers some we know & some cater to our sub-conscious
SO, WHO'S RINGING OUR BELL?
Everyone under the sun! It is an inherent, accustomed dynamic this conditioning to get humans to react, respond, agree or become aggressive, passive or hungry. We are trained in by these principles & as such, go happily along. The list is endless
HARM IS SUBTLE
Not all of this is diabolical or negative but instead, a subtle intrusion into our psyche. We can become complacent or boisterous, hungry, joyful or sad all controlled by outside sources. That is the harm. We inhabit a body-shell & we should control it. Pavlov proved other forces compete to do the same & succeed. Let's explore these to make the point even clearer
1. Green, red & yellow colors have multiple uses. Driving in traffic, warning signals, Directing the masses etc. Flashing lights, you pull over or display caution
2. Some colors-clothes (visual stimulus influence us to eat, sleep, & (yes that) Victorias Secrets too lol
3. Like Pavlov's dogs, sounds are used by us too. Sirens to take cover or pull over, emergency exit alarms, house intrusion, lunch hour is over, groans & moans
4. Onions, peppers or garlic frying in olive oil will form a line of hungry people to eat. This is used at large gatherings like sports events & State Fairs too. Aroma!
5. Honking a horn gets everyone's attention as does a yell or a scream
6. Marketing slogans from "happy birthday" to "just do it" & thousands more that when heard or seen conjure up the product associated with it. Wedding march?
7. From smoking (Marlboro man to "Aston martin (007) We react to this mentally, emotionally, psychological & fantasy-type existence. This is not living, but existing
HERE'S THE THING
What were you doing (in the moment) before these "triggers" were introduced? That's the point! When activated, they captured you, taught you what to feel/think, instead of what you were doing. What's the harm you say? You are programmed to another's purpose. A puppet on a string. Another's beck & call is your master!
YOUR NATURAL STATE
Your creative state was one of observation & receiving directed from within not from without. We didn't think or dream our lives, WE LIVED THEM. Our "who we are" or uniqueness was preserved. We answered to inner prompts & conscience
BUT I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR EXAMPLES
Neither do the herds & bunches either also known as the masses when they move in groups each one following the other who doesn't know what or where they are going but goes none the less. You want to follow that? I'll do it because they are?
EAT BECAUSE YOU ARE HUNGRY & DECIDE TOO
How many people eat on schedule i.e. breakfast, lunch & dinner/supper instead of eating when hungry? Furthermore, that natural hunger signal, not the Pavlov's dogs signal, gently reminds you that it may be time to eat. You note it & move on. It will even send a second & third & message, but YOU decide to accept or reject it
THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE EXPERIMENT
An attack dog is trained via pain & inducement to attack when told. Why? It's training causes them to remember the conditioning (pain). If a woman was mugged/raped while it was raining, the rain would trigger the past episodes. I hate the rain! Why? People in the military, that went to war, will react to loud booms (ptsd). Picked on (tormented) in high school? Anything regarding those years trigger negative memories. Food poisoning from fish or chicken? That food causes us to react to properly cooked food. How? Conditioning driven by resentments
NONE OF THIS WILL CEASE
As long as we live in a society, with civilization rules, marketing & sales aggression, advertisements, repetition, smells, sounds, feelings all will do what they do because they can do it. You just need to learn via knowing & owning the subject matter to do what you want, when you want & for your reasons without influence
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