5 ms·

Robert Sapolsky touches on this when discussing the effects of glucocorticoids on the prefrontal cortex. A stressed PFC is not an executive functioning PFC. Whe

Robert Sapolsky touches on this when discussing the effects of glucocorticoids on the prefrontal cortex. A stressed PFC is not an executive functioning PFC. When we're too close to an issue, we process with our periaqueductal gray (key in pain inhibition) and not with the part of our brain more adept at strategizing. These stress effects on frontal function also make us perseverative—in a rut, set in our ways, running on automatic, being habitual. We all know this—what do we typically do during a stressful time when something isn’t working? The same thing again, many more times, faster and more intensely—it becomes unimaginable that the usual isn’t working. This is precisely where the frontal cortex makes you do the harder but more correct thing—recognize that it’s time for a change. Except for a stressed frontal cortex, or one that’s been exposed to a lot of glucocorticoids. In rats, monkeys, and humans, stress weakens frontal connections with the hippocampus—essential for incorporating the new information that should prompt shifting to a new strategy—while strengthening frontal connections with more habitual brain circuits. R. Sapolsky, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst 130 (2017).

hhjjkkll 7y ago
>When we're too close to an issue, we process with our periaqueductal gray (key in pain inhibition) and not with the part of our brain more adept at strategizing. This must be what happens when you think of a funny comeback or joke several hours after the opportunity to use it.
- jok311 7y ago
  tst
- sidcool 7y ago
  True! Captured very well in the 'Jerk Store' instance in Seinfeld.
- rzzzt 7y ago
  The Treppenwitz or l'esprit de l'escalier: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/l%27esprit_de_l%27escalier https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/l%27esprit_de_l%27escalier
- HNLurker2 7y ago
  Tunnel vision bias
gingabriska 7y ago
So those who opt in for parasitic payday loans are doing so under stress, can we say they opt for that loan in similar conditions like you are influenced by alcohol and therefore the contracts are invalid? Many people have ruined themselves with such contracts and it's understood that they had full awareness of what they are getting into and that's why they are liable for all the losses.
- lugg 7y ago
  This is a very difficult area to draw a line on. Your emotions can effect your actions and decisions like anything else. Are we to apply the same logic to how advertising made me feel a certain way leading to a purchase u wouldn't otherwise have made? We are talking measures of degree here but it's a spectrum that is incredibly difficult to nail down. What constitutes being of sound mind?
  - marcosdumay 7y ago
    > Are we to apply the same logic to how advertising made me feel a certain way leading to a purchase u wouldn't otherwise have made? A thousand times yes! People need some protections against bad actors hacking their brains. It wasn't a large problem in the past, but the bad actors are getting better and better at hacking. It is still a continuous, so it will be hard to place lines. But it is something that must be done.
  - nothrabannosir 7y ago
    > Are we to apply the same logic to how advertising made me feel a certain way leading to a purchase u wouldn't otherwise have made? I agree with your point about there being a line, but: YES!! ! Advertising has gone too far and is now squarely behind that line. There is an all out war on our brains going on, and we are losing. Modern advertising and "engagement optimisation" is overwhelmingly insiduous and pernicious. People openly lecture about hacking faults in human psychology to make us buy more and pay higher prices, not to mention the new wave of shameless tracking and targeting. It does not move humanity closer to the stars. Long live price and value based competition. Down with competition based on dirty psychological tricks. It's a distraction from your main point, sorry for that. I couldn't let slip the opportunity for a call to arms against advertising.
brsanders 7y ago
i have a saying i tell myself every time this happens to me: 'if it's too hard, you're doing it wrong'.
- HNLurker2 7y ago
  FTFY if it's too hard, it's fun

hhjjkkll 7y ago

>When we're too close to an issue, we process with our periaqueductal gray (key in pain inhibition) and not with the part of our brain more adept at strategizing. This must be what happens when you think of a funny comeback or joke several hours after the opportunity to use it.

jok311 7y ago
tst
sidcool 7y ago
True! Captured very well in the 'Jerk Store' instance in Seinfeld.
rzzzt 7y ago
The Treppenwitz or l'esprit de l'escalier: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/l%27esprit_de_l%27escalier https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/l%27esprit_de_l%27escalier
HNLurker2 7y ago
Tunnel vision bias

gingabriska 7y ago

So those who opt in for parasitic payday loans are doing so under stress, can we say they opt for that loan in similar conditions like you are influenced by alcohol and therefore the contracts are invalid? Many people have ruined themselves with such contracts and it's understood that they had full awareness of what they are getting into and that's why they are liable for all the losses.

lugg 7y ago
This is a very difficult area to draw a line on. Your emotions can effect your actions and decisions like anything else. Are we to apply the same logic to how advertising made me feel a certain way leading to a purchase u wouldn't otherwise have made? We are talking measures of degree here but it's a spectrum that is incredibly difficult to nail down. What constitutes being of sound mind?
- marcosdumay 7y ago
  > Are we to apply the same logic to how advertising made me feel a certain way leading to a purchase u wouldn't otherwise have made? A thousand times yes! People need some protections against bad actors hacking their brains. It wasn't a large problem in the past, but the bad actors are getting better and better at hacking. It is still a continuous, so it will be hard to place lines. But it is something that must be done.
- nothrabannosir 7y ago
  > Are we to apply the same logic to how advertising made me feel a certain way leading to a purchase u wouldn't otherwise have made? I agree with your point about there being a line, but: YES!! ! Advertising has gone too far and is now squarely behind that line. There is an all out war on our brains going on, and we are losing. Modern advertising and "engagement optimisation" is overwhelmingly insiduous and pernicious. People openly lecture about hacking faults in human psychology to make us buy more and pay higher prices, not to mention the new wave of shameless tracking and targeting. It does not move humanity closer to the stars. Long live price and value based competition. Down with competition based on dirty psychological tricks. It's a distraction from your main point, sorry for that. I couldn't let slip the opportunity for a call to arms against advertising.

brsanders 7y ago

i have a saying i tell myself every time this happens to me: 'if it's too hard, you're doing it wrong'.

HNLurker2 7y ago
FTFY if it's too hard, it's fun