Astral Codex Ten Podcast Practically-A-Book Review: Byrnes on Trance
Jul 11, 2025
Delve into the fascinating world of psychology as Steven Byrnes tackles complex topics like trance, amnesia, and multiple personalities. The discussion highlights how perception shapes our reality, using optical illusions to challenge our cognitive understanding. From the metaphor of the 'homunculus' to altered states of consciousness, the exploration reveals how cultural beliefs influence self-agency. The podcast even touches on Bronze Age perspectives of consciousness and the philosophical implications for free will, making for an intriguing intellectual journey.
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Perception Is Model-Based
- We perceive our brain's models of the world, not direct reality.
- Our brain can hold two models equally well, causing bistable perceptions like optical illusions.
Self as Internal Brain Model
- Our internal perceptions of thoughts and desires are brain models like external perception.
- The 'self' or homunculus is a useful but inaccurate internal model of mental processes.
Trance as Bistable Self Model
- Trance and spirit possession are bistable mental models flipping like optical illusions.
- Belief, relaxation, suppression of old model, and gathering new evidence cause the flip in self-models.