Lecture
Reality tunnel — an individual subconscious bias made up of linguistic constructs and other symbols. According to reality tunnel theory, each person sees the world according to a subconscious set of mental filters shaped by their beliefs and experience.
The term was first used by Timothy Leary, but it was later elaborated in much more detail by Robert Anton Wilson in his books «Prometheus Rising» (1983) and «Quantum Psychology» (1990), in which he sets out his concept of consciousness as a reality tunnel, formed on the basis of a synthesis of T. Leary's neurological theory with the relativistic-quantum ideas of modern physics, the spiritual practices of Buddhism, and the achievements of sociobiology.
Every person is confined within their own reality tunnel, created by their brain. The creation of a reality tunnel is driven by each person's need to orient themselves in their surrounding environment and to model their own realities, the function of which is to ensure effective control over the ratio of pleasure to displeasure.
Since human DNA descended from primate DNA, humans have a similar anatomy, nervous system, and nearly identical sense organs. DNA and the neuro-sensory apparatus create what ethologists call, using the German word umwelt (German — um, «around, about», and welt, «world»), the surrounding world, or the way it is perceived. Most animals perceive the reality tunnel of their habitat in a way that allows most members of the species to live long enough to reproduce.
Imprints are connections that link neurons into reflex networks for life. Foundational studies of imprinting showed that a gosling imprints on its mother — that is, it begins to distinguish her from other geese and becomes attached to her shortly after birth.
Conditioning requires repeated repetitions of the same event.
Like conditioning, learning requires repeated repetition, which, however, is supplemented by motivation.
After Robert Anton Wilson's works explaining the meaning of the term «reality tunnel» in detail were published, their author was repeatedly reproached for excessive contempt toward fundamentalism and fundamentalists. Critics believed he ought to apply the techniques described in his books while himself residing in a «fundamentalist» reality tunnel. He was accused of being harsh, categorical in his arguments, and overly cynical and skeptical, having become embittered over insufficient attention to his work.
The reality tunnel has a major influence on a person's life. The slogan «You create your own reality» is fully consistent with the principle of the reality tunnel. The diversity of tunnels is a tremendous evolutionary force in society, since people, recognizing their significance, can learn from those whose imprints and learning allow them to improve. It is important that the possibility of changing one's reality tunnel exists. Using special techniques, a person can be induced into a state of so-called imprint vulnerability, in which they become highly suggestible, and can be completely reprogrammed: their belief system, consciousness, perception of reality, and thinking patterns can be changed. Most people remain within their parents' reality tunnel for their entire lives. Thus, the process of enculturation is nothing other than a process of mind control. Immediately after birth, a child is subjected to mind control, as the process of socialization begins to operate. There are no two people with identical genetic programs, imprints, conditioning, and learning experiences, and therefore no two identical reality tunnels. Each person lives according to their own tunnel, and for this reason misunderstandings frequently arise in interpersonal relationships.
Conflict most often arises from the misconception «My reality tunnel is the only correct one», when a person has to deal with another person whose reality tunnel is also «the only correct one».
— Robert Anton Wilson, "Quantum Psychology", part 3, chapter 17
Reality tunnels increase the role of the individual in history, making it possible to control and manipulate people. A reality tunnel can be passed down through generations. Its components can include projects, words, concepts, tools, theories, music, and so on. The formation of reality tunnels occurs partly through symbols. Given that human beings are creatures that use symbols, figures such as Moses, Confucius, and Buddha continue to exert influence to this day because they used symbolic systems. These systems include words, works of art, music, rituals, and «games», through which culture is transmitted. People are subjected to an even greater degree of control by the inventors of the wheel, the plow, the alphabet, and so on. This confirms that those who rule the symbols, shaping the reality tunnel, rule the people. The nature of the symbolic process is such that, once it has begun, it is practically impossible for a person (without professional neurological knowledge) to free themselves from a reality tunnel they created themselves or that was imposed on them by their environment.
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