1999.04/07 We Are Moral Animals

EXCERPTED FROM MESSAGES TO MAX NARAVLONSKY

} 	I fureged I might as well ask you this in an email: what methods
} of habit change(I refer to it as habituation) do you know? I have a
} generic idea of benefits of induced dissonance, repetioning (comforting to
} repeat previously learned behaviour), gratification from activity(distinct
} from habit repetition) + 1 more. 

What habituation are you trying to induce?  That being asked, the best
techniques for habituation come from animal training.  In that realm it is
called "behavior modification" and "operant conditioning".  Is this the type
of habituation you mean?  

} Yes. They way I think about habituation - a way of making desirable
} behavior a natural response in a given situation. I'm also currently
} developing a series of triggers with which such behavior can be 
} initiated.(same idea a a bell for Pavlov's dogs) I'm working on fixed time
} triggers - morning coffee, lunch, dinner etc., as well as situational
} ones - recognizing signs that lead to certain situations where behavior
} I'm trying to habituate is appropriate. 

If so, the techniques employed are pretty standard:
  1) Develop rapport with the animal
  2) Appreciate and recognize it at all times
  3) Care for the animal physically (implies maintenance knowledge)
  4) Handle the animal (implies husbandry knowledge)
  5) Develop a set of very specific known tasks (implies goal set)
  6) Concentrate on one task at any given time (focus)
  7) Always keep tasks at a level that the animal can always succeed
  8) Repeat that task and build a pattern of successful behavior
  9) Reward successful tasks immediately and clearly (appreciation)
 10) Always encourage success; never discourage failure
 11) Gratify the animal during all activities
 12) Treat the animal as your friend and ally (satisfaction)

Was this what you were looking for?  From your examples it is unclear whether
you mean methodology or techniques.

} I think I will find these suggestions useful. Rapport with the animal - 
} that sounds good..
} 
} 	I've established the first object which is rightly called a moral,
} according to your definition. I'm also trying to set up a periodic use of
} certain tools which require conscious initiation, like the deconstructor.

Woohoo!  What is it?

} This one seeks to do away with my perfectionist attitude. I have found
} that in the past, whenever I feel I will not be able to do a perfect job
} the potential barrier for that activity gets raised. Hence
} It is more important to get a working product than a perfect product.
} 
} If the choice comes down to an imperfect product or no product, an
} imperfect product is almost always preffered. This moral seems
} sufficiently specific, although phrasing needs work. But hey - it's
} workable, and according to it's meaning that makes it self-asserting. :)
} 
} Another "moral" which I'm trying to get a handle on relates to my
} philosophy of high energy flow in my life. That is: I prefer high
} consumption, high production tandem to low consumption low production one.
} This one's not even working yet, but at least I know I want a moral in
} this area. 

Is this the habit you want to develop, i.e. the periodic application of a
known tool?

} Exactly. I've set up a couple of tables on the web to facilitate use of
} deconstructor and some other tools. This habituation tool has descriptive
} columns like method, triggers, and schedule (to set up specific times of
} application if appropriate). "Triggers" which I talked a bit about above,
} are thus far defined by Time(of application), effect and current
} users(other tools utilizing the trigger time or effect). Habituating use
} of tools is part of the quest to ensure tool user attitude is effective
} and not just a philosophical issue. 
}
} 	Also working on regulating/improving High g personality..

Excellent!  Like every personality, High G is capable of growth and change.
Despite his potential drawbacks, he is an effective platform to evolve
forward.

} I think so. He has possibly the best developped "Thought action core" (was
} that the code phrase you used?). Anyhow, he's exactly that - the most
} capable lunching platform. I think with some modifications I can harness
} his energy and motivation for some time to come. I will elaborate on this
} when we meet.