2026-07-13
Over the past year, I've started to look at the way I view the world as a system of sorts. In this system (put simply) we have reality, an internal model, and experience of reality. The internal model is what mediates our experience of reality. Reality in the system is descriptive, some sort of baseline. Alright, so experience = reality filtered by a model. These make up the first 3 of 4 rules in the system. The 4th rule (observation) is to prefer the simplest adequate (internal) model. If all our interpretation of reality is through this model, then to make it the simpliest it can be seems the logical thing to do. Why is this? Simpler models contain fewer assumptions, relationships, and dependencies. Fewer interacting components reduce opportunities for mismatch between the model and reality. This has the result of reducing potential residual tension.
Predictable things are easier to reconcile. Lingering on emotion is not useful, to reduce this behavior is useful in the system. Emotion functions as a regulatory signal to alert the system to some "thing", once we are made aware, and take appropriate action, then to linger on the signal becomes a hinderance. A simple modle aims to reduce the duration one might linger. In the system, contentment is the result of efficient system regulation. Emotional signals are sent, received, dealt with promptly -> return to baseline. Another goal of the system is to ensure the weight and duration of each signal remain proportional to reality. Meaning: amplification exhibits diminishing informational returns. If we view emotion as signals, then that's all they need be.
I think a reasonable goal of the internal model should be to keep parity of reality, and experience of reality (such that experience reflects reality with minimal unncessary distortion). This is derived from the assumption predictable things are easier to reconcile, thereby being a core part of efficient regulation. This means being honest with yourself as an utmost priority, to remind yourself of the limitations of your situation. For me, this is acceptance of death. The culmination of life, when my model signals that I am ungrounded, I remind myself of the most mortal fact there is.
The inspiration of the model lies primarily in what I've in many religious people. Their belief in a higher authority seems to give them a sense of being grounded. The seemingly mundane becomes everything, there is no sadness or regret behind this, content. To do the same thing every day, with no disillusionment. However, I can't accept religion, then I must look at what religion gives: a system. Yes, religion is just another form of a system. Systems are sets of rules to grapple with reality, they give the internal model something to grab hold of, to experience.
I've introduced a few concepts here I should clarify, and distinguish between: reality, the model, experience of reality, and the objective. If we take death as an example
Here are the 4 "rules", 1-3 are descriptive, with the 4th being an optimization, or derived principle of efficient regulation