Is blushing an only human trait? Do animals blush? Can an AI ever express emotion?

The face is the chief seat of expression. In this episode, I discuss the biological and psychological process of blushing, based on The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin. I explore the different things that can trigger a blush, and the connection between blinking and blushing by analyzing In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch. I focus on self-awareness and how other people's opinions and the ways they perceive us can affect our self-image, and consequently, direct our behaviors and the decisions we make. What role does blushing play in terms of evolution and the development of consciousness? What is the conscience? I believe shame is not an emotion, but an action. How deep is your connection to yourself?

Are you sure you're the one who gets to decide what you allow into your consciousness?

In this episode, I continue to discuss the book Flow, and study the ways to control consciousness, and the way we process information. I take a look at schizophrenia, and the disadvantages of self-consciousness. I focus on concentration, learning disabilities, and attentional disorders and how they can be traced to family dynamics, lack of parental attention, and child abuse. Identity is developed in childhood, and if a child can cultivate unselfconscious individuality, he or she will be able to live according to a strongly directed purpose that is not self-seeking. Intrinsic vs. extrinsic actions. I talk about daydreaming, dissociating, and the benefits of imagination. Here are some ideas that can give you more autonomy, give meaning to the things you do, and help change your habits.

In this episode, I discuss some points from the book Flow: the psychology of optimal experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly. I focus on the traits of the autotelic personality, my own experience with flow, and the transformation that came from reflecting on the question: Is this all there is? I talk about how we come to create meaning in our lives, my screenplay: The Suicidal Penguin Club, my past experiences with suicidal thoughts, friends who have committed suicide, and how there is always hope and the possibility of changing our attitude, thinking patterns, and beliefs. I discuss one my short films, Fotograma, how I became sober, and how much I've evolved since I made that decision. I believe we are all malleable, and can always improve. I bring up symbols, the ways we place value, the Montessori method, and how important it is to maintain a self-driven attitude throughout your life. Perception alters reality.