December 15, 2012

  • A Slow Connection

    At a certain point one becomes accustomed to certain inputs being around. This can be such an unconscious attachment that one does not even notice that the dependence is there. Once said inputs are removed, however, the effects of withdrawal make apparent the underlying desires of the mind. When a person comes to terms with this effect, whether the means be voluntary or forcibly, he/she can get a glimpse into the clockwork of the mind and possibly understand the true value of certain things in life.

    There are many items out there which are designed to be addictive – designed by a person or a group mostly for the purpose of commerce, which doesn't paint a very kind picture of humanity, but shouldn't be discounted as a catalyst for creativity – and these items are constantly consumed by the masses in one form or another. The form can range from a perishable item such as something edible that, once used, can only be replenished by acquiring more of the item, to something more permanent such as an item which will operate indefinitely provided that the user provides it with adequate energy and maintenance. Certain aspects of these items vary greatly depending on a set of variables far too diverse to explain within the confines of one lifetime; however, the largest deciding factor would the personal preference of groups of individuals. No matter what the item is, if there is no demand for it there will be less chance for it to affect a great number of persons and thus less incentive for its production. This balance of production and consumption has been a factor in life since someone first realized that the concept of value can be transferred from person to person. While not maintaining a fixed value, a generalized range can be established into which certain items fall, and becomes the deciding factor in trade between these categories. In order for an item to move from production to consumption something of equivalent perceived value must move in the opposite direction. Those that can not satisfy this requirement either find other ways of attaining the item or simply do without.

    It has been said in many different ways but it begs repeating – the human mind is a strange and wondrous thing. When one breaks the aforementioned cycle of production of consumption the first result is panic, confusion, and a decline in the ability to reason. This is the first sign of an addiction to an external input. Something could be said for the part of the mind that was responsible for processing the plentiful information falling into disuse and sending out an SOS through means of withdrawal symptoms. It's sad in a way but, provided that the essentials of the body continue to receive nourishment, the mind will eventually cease to expect the once plentiful input. Around this time coping can begin. Typically a certain amount of depression and loss of motivation can appear at this stage, indicating that those parts of the mind that were signaling distress are now firmly in the grips of disrepair. But the mind is capable of working around these things. After a time the mind can arrive at the conclusion that those things were unessential to life and will move on. Whether or not it loses the ability to process that old input depends on the individual circumstances. But one certainty of it all is that the mind will continue to flow, even as its course constantly changes. In a way, every new bend in this current adds to the complexity and richness of the mind – it can be viewed as an opportunity to grow and diversify yourself. That's one way of viewing these things, at least. But as one who has looked upon all of this and had what seems like a great deal of time to ponder it, I have only one personal statement to add: I really miss being able to stream videos.