The Metagame #24 - Michael Johnson | Qualia Formalism & The Symmetry Theory of Valence
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Feb 6, 2024 Philosopher and neuroscientist Michael Johnson discusses qualia formalism, the symmetry theory of valence, and the connection between symmetry and harmony in relation to pleasure and cognition. They also explore somatic practices, creating harmony internally and externally, and building virtue in the nervous system. Additionally, they touch on the concept of major mind dump to improve productivity and Johnson's intellectually ambitious work in philosophy.
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Qualia Formalism & Symmetry Theory of Valence
- Qualia Formalism proposes that math can precisely represent experiences.
- The Symmetry Theory of Valence suggests that an experience's pleasantness correlates with the symmetry of its mathematical representation.
Physiological Correlates of Valence
- Positive valence, or happiness, is linked to harmony and symmetry in the mind, reflected in neuroscientific readouts.
- Physiological proxies like heart rate variability and EEG patterns can indicate this harmony.
Meditation and Unpacking Abstractions
- During meditation, unpacking abstract experiences like pain revealed nuanced complexity.
- This unpacking transformed the experience, suggesting over-compression can cause suffering.