tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post5368854827305804479..comments2024-03-14T23:52:09.893-07:00Comments on The Neurocritic: Want to Be Happier and Avoid Auto Accidents? A TED/BMJ MashupThe Neurocritichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010555869208208621noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-63551704768755201012013-07-28T01:09:50.487-07:002013-07-28T01:09:50.487-07:00Happiness Meditation the following words are a hap...<a href="http://www.easemeditationonline.com" rel="nofollow"> Happiness Meditation</a> the following words are a happiness meditation for you to read, practice and then enjoy.This is one of the twelve guided meditations from the Beginners guide to meditation. Wishing <br />you much peace and happiness. Before you begin, take 5 minutes to prepare yourself by focusing on your breath. Find a comfortable position, one free from potential distractions and allow yourself 15 minutes. Take deep breaths in and out, relaxing your body and purposely focusing on your breathing. Put on some soothing music to help you prepare.<br />Happiness Meditationhttp://www.easemeditationonline.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-29423179568687619982012-12-19T15:10:51.847-08:002012-12-19T15:10:51.847-08:00Neurocritic -
You were correct. The studies didn...Neurocritic -<br /><br />You were correct. The studies didn't examine the DMN, but I used it for a couple of side riffs. As you pointed out, the interesting open questions concerned the immediately preceding emotional valence, and perhaps the general mood. <br /><br />I've seen some studies on EEG during vigilance tasks, and there were events that preceding a lapse of attention. It would be interesting to see if sites in the DMN are involved.Roger Bigodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-25186911595304109162012-12-19T07:14:30.136-08:002012-12-19T07:14:30.136-08:00P.S. - it's true they didn't ask about the...P.S. - it's true they didn't ask about the emotional valence of the distracting thoughts themselves, but only an overall rating of pleasure-displeasure on a 9-point scale. Hence the suggested [satirical] mashup with the TED talk.The Neurocritichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010555869208208621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-63337079723098460932012-12-19T07:09:52.440-08:002012-12-19T07:09:52.440-08:00Roger Bigod - Thanks. I wanted to mention the defa...Roger Bigod - Thanks. I wanted to mention the default mode network but the post would have tripled in length. I think the rise in use of the "mind wandering" terminology correlates with neuroimaging studies of DMN activity.<br /><br />sarah - Good point that positive thoughts (like love) can be very distracting, so I accepted your Car Accessories link as not spam. <br /><br />Kate Braithwaite - In the <i>BMJ</i> paper, mind wandering was defined as "thought unrelated to the driving task or to the immediate sensory input, thought related to the driving task" and rated for how distracting it was.The Neurocritichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010555869208208621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-15243004064957230812012-12-19T03:51:15.775-08:002012-12-19T03:51:15.775-08:00Yes,I would like to see mind wandering more closel... Yes,I would like to see mind wandering more closely defined.As somone said above being in love makes your mind wander.<br />I'd like to see a distinction between the tormenting thoughts of an agitated person and the relaxed reverie state of mind...relaxed yet aware.<br /> I know talking and texting is dangerousK Braithwaitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063529046480489577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-7631070542763828832012-12-18T02:43:48.564-08:002012-12-18T02:43:48.564-08:00I am not entirely convinced that being positive ca...I am not entirely convinced that being positive can mean you are less distracted? What about feelings like love, more positive than any forced known on earth but distracting? Definitely, to the point of being an idiot which must have an effect on driving. <br /><br />I know this is only an exception and people driving whilst late or being in a bad mood would more likely cause an accident than a love sick fool but both of these are more extremes than everyday. <br /><br />I think that all learners should be taught now to keep a focused but relaxed mind before passing. As a nervous driver I know that being wound up and nervous makes some of my decisions questionable on the road and although I have never been in or caused an accident driving when I'm tired, the kids are screaming, I'm late or just angry is more common than it should be. sarah Car Accessorieshttp://www.caraccessoriesplus.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605329.post-91058494302020604762012-12-17T11:02:25.356-08:002012-12-17T11:02:25.356-08:00A very restrained and sober analysis. You might h...A very restrained and sober analysis. You might have pointed out that mind wandering is an activity of the default mode network, and that several interventions can inhibit its activity. <br /><br />Meditation sounds promising. I'm waiting for "Zen and the Art of the Interstate Interchange" or the koan of the Left Turn Signal. One reservation is that in meditation the brain churns out alpha and theta, and that may slow reaction time. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if the best truckers and drone pilots operate in a state of alpha trance with nary a peep out of the DMN.<br /><br />Another possibility for turning off the monkey brain is psychedelic drugs. This is more problematic, from what I've read (uh-huh) of the subjective effects. We don't want drivers to zone out on the precise tinges of color on the other cars or the pattern of swirls and squiggles on a dirty windshield. On the other hand, we might have been spared decades of superstitious policy if Leary had chosen the slogan "Turn on, tune in, drive better."Roger Bigodnoreply@blogger.com