Who Thought Your Last Thought? | A Mind Experiment

Late at night, a message is still open Late at night, a message is still open on your phone. It is from someone you on your phone. It is from someone you on your phone. It is from someone you have known for years. One sentence is have known for years. One sentence is have known for years. One sentence is burning on the screen, you never listen. burning on the screen, you never listen. burning on the screen, you never listen. You have typed a reply, you never listen You have typed a reply, you never listen You have typed a reply, you never listen to me either. Your thumb is above send. to me either. Your thumb is above send. to me either. Your thumb is above send. The anger feels honest. It feels like The anger feels honest. It feels like The anger feels honest. It feels like the only answer, but do not send it yet. the only answer, but do not send it yet. the only answer, but do not send it yet. In 1983, neuroscientist Benjamin Libet In 1983, neuroscientist Benjamin Libet In 1983, neuroscientist Benjamin Libet and his colleagues asked people to watch and his colleagues asked people to watch and his colleagues asked people to watch a rotating clock and make a small finger a rotating clock and make a small finger a rotating clock and make a small finger or wrist movement whenever they first or wrist movement whenever they first or wrist movement whenever they first felt the urge. felt the urge. felt the urge. Electrodes on the scalp recorded a Electrodes on the scalp recorded a Electrodes on the scalp recorded a signal called the readiness potential, signal called the readiness potential, signal called the readiness potential, the brain preparing for movement. First the brain preparing for movement. First the brain preparing for movement. First preparation in the brain, then awareness preparation in the brain, then awareness preparation in the brain, then awareness of the urge, then the finger move. of the urge, then the finger move. of the urge, then the finger move. This became known as the Libet This became known as the Libet This became known as the Libet experiment. It did not prove that every experiment. It did not prove that every experiment. It did not prove that every decision in your life is already decision in your life is already decision in your life is already written. It was about one small written. It was about one small written. It was about one small arbitrary movement. arbitrary movement. arbitrary movement. But a reaction can begin before your But a reaction can begin before your But a reaction can begin before your conscious mind notices it. conscious mind notices it. conscious mind notices it. Imagine a wheel crossing wet ground. The Imagine a wheel crossing wet ground. The Imagine a wheel crossing wet ground. The first journey leaves a mark. Every time first journey leaves a mark. Every time first journey leaves a mark. Every time the wheel returns, the mark grows the wheel returns, the mark grows the wheel returns, the mark grows deeper. deeper. deeper. After enough journeys, the wheel no After enough journeys, the wheel no After enough journeys, the wheel no longer searches for a path. It falls longer searches for a path. It falls longer searches for a path. It falls into the groove. into the groove. into the groove. Our mind can do the same [music] thing. Our mind can do the same [music] thing. Our mind can do the same [music] thing. An insult finds an old defense. Anger An insult finds an old defense. Anger An insult finds an old defense. Anger finds an old reply. Before we notice, finds an old reply. Before we notice, finds an old reply. Before we notice, the familiar thought wants to become the familiar thought wants to become the familiar thought wants to become [music] an action. [music] an action. [music] an action. But a thought is not the reply. Anger is But a thought is not the reply. Anger is But a thought is not the reply. Anger is not the reply. Notice the hand. Notice not the reply. Notice the hand. Notice not the reply. Notice the hand. Notice the pressure in the chest. Say, "Anger the pressure in the chest. Say, "Anger the pressure in the chest. Say, "Anger is here." is here." is here." Let one breath finish. Turn the phone Let one breath finish. Turn the phone Let one breath finish. Turn the phone face down. face down. face down. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Wait until morning before you decide. >> Wait until morning before you decide. >> Wait until morning before you decide. Awareness may arrive late, but late is Awareness may arrive late, but late is Awareness may arrive late, but late is not powerless. You may not control every not powerless. You may not control every not powerless. You may not control every thought that arrives, but you can thought that arrives, but you can thought that arrives, but you can practice what it becomes next. practice what it becomes next. practice what it becomes next. Go and watch the YouTube channel My Go and watch the YouTube channel My Go and watch the YouTube channel My Honest Diary. The full film is available Honest Diary. The full film is available Honest Diary. The full film is available there.