If we manage to upload, I hope that we are clever enough to
simulate not only laughter and joy but also deep sorrow. Without
grief, we might eventually forget how good happiness feels. {8-]
Amara Graps wrote:
> Oooh, dipping into the Void, I see. It's a marvelous place of
> rejuvenation if you can bear to sit in it and have a tea with your
> emotions in that place, to just observe and notice what is happening
> with yourself, and not get too... uhmm ... depressed.
Roger that. I wondered if there might be an explanation for why
northern-evolved populations had a higher incidence of SAD if the
body temperature dropped slightly during an episode, thereby
burning fewer calories during the cold hungry months. I used
one of those basal thermometer thingies that ladies use to determine
ovulation and checked it out. Results: inconclusive. I had not
enough evidence regarding my normal temperature, which
I know is a little lower than the ordinary human's. Further, I
did not measure the temperature at the same time each day.
Perhaps there is an evolutionary advantage to a depression episode
if it makes the sufferer less likely to fly into a murderous rage.
If a clan were trapped indoors for extended periods under conditions
of insufficient mental stimulation, rage might be a problem, however a
depressed person might need far less mental stimulation than otherwise.
Meta-reasoning:
the depression would be a reproductive disadvantage to
the individual suffer, but benefit the clan which contained
several such individuals. Eliezer (I think it was) once told me
evolution does not work this way, but I do not see why not.
> I've often wondered if men have monthly cycles like those that women
> have. I've observed some behavior in men close to me over the years
> that seems like it's possible, or at least their moods seem to have a
> cyclical nature.
I wouldnt be surprised if men's hormone levels change on a
regular basis. The SAD cycle for me is definitely a once a year
thing (this year twice).
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Jul 27 2000 - 14:04:07 MDT