Reddit mentions of The Evolving Self: A Psychology for the Third Millennium

Yeah man, I think your onto some stuff.

>My question for you, is that during ones life, does our actions alone influence gene expression, and therefor, does our everyday actions influence gene expression that has to do with the 'activities (both physical and mental (ie. thoughts))' they do most?

Yes, I think this is true. For example, there's the example that is often associated with epigenetics that the children of people who experienced starvation at some point in their life would have epigenetic changes that made their body hold onto calories and store much more fat, even though they themselves had never experienced starvation. I'm sure this happens with all sorts of different environemtnal stimuli, like drugs, diet, if they've experienced trauma, etc. You might see this in a way of environmental and cultural stimuli causing physical genetic changes in unborn future generations.

>Ive came up with the idea, which is something about the evolution of beliefs, and how that in turn influences actions.

I think humans primary mode of evolution is cultural. We dictate the structure of our societies by the beleifs of our culture. And the structure of our society is quite literally the survival strategy of our species. It is our Ecological Niche. And just as coming out of trees and choosing to hunt and forage on the ground has had physical evolutionary changes on our species, so does any survival strategy alter our evolutionary course.

Our culture is how we pass down our survival strategies and the beleifs that shape how we act. So culture has very real evolutionary implications, and IS how our species primarily evolves, imo.

>here is then sub cultures, and linkages of sub cultures, for which all thought (semantics) is connected. What is this 'source' that integrates all semantics (meaning), and how does it influence our actions? Do we have the power to choose what we feed this source, and therefor spread good karma, which would then make our actions, and generally our world a better place?

I don't know if your familiar with the idea, but you should look into the concept of memetics which is a concept for how ideas and behaviors spread through a population, and looks at it in evolutionary terms. Seems really relevant to all the ideas you put forward here.

I think I agree with the idea that religion has evolutionary implications, and also the idea that your own mindset, thoughts, and behaviors, can influence the people around you, the culture, and even our evolutionary course.

Some more scientific books that are in line with what you're saying here that you might want to check out:

Evolution in Four Dimensions which seeks to show that evolution isn't just about genes, but also things like behaviors, culture, and also epigenetics.

The Social Conquest of Earth by the great biologist E.O. Wilson. This guy also developed the concept and field of study of sociobiology which looks at how organisms in a society (whether human or ant) interact and how their social systems evolve. Here he goes really deep into the biological foundations of human culture and society.

The Evolving Self; a psychology for the third millenium. I just mention this one because the way you talk about these things makes me think you'd enjoy this book. This is kind of a book that tries to get at the ethics that a modern person could adopt, and the conclusion is along the lines of doing what you can to contribute to the larger evolutionary process that we are all a part of. He goes into a lot of thinking about genes, memetics, and what impact a person could have in it all.

Probably going to get down-voted to oblivion.


You sound just like my little brother now, and myself a decade ago. You have little love for yourself, are extremely insecure, and blow up your ego to compensate. You want and think you stand like an adult, but you can barely crawl. Now you're trying to run away.


Where can you go? Your parents. I guarantee you your parents and love you more than you can imagine. Possibly more than you even love yourself. As difficult and humiliating as it feels, swallow your pride, listen and follow through their advice, and get ready to walk a long long way. It will take several years, but will progressively get better far sooner. If you're actually serious (I remain unconvinced).


You're telling yourself half-truths and subtle lies. Stop and shut up for a little bit. Chill out with substances to "expand your mind" and read some god-damned books.


The Evolving Self: A Psychology for the Third Millennium


The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are


I can guarantee if you don't change your attitude you'll be doing and feeling the same shit you do right now. You said your habits weren't a part of the problem. That's a lie, and you know it. Attitude is nothing but mental/thought habits. Stop feeding yourself bullshit and eat some of those greens your parents are trying to feed you.


Mutters under breath "God damned kids these days"

I've said this out loud many times. Actually, I learned the word back before I became an internet junkie - read it in a fascinating book, 'The Evolving Self' by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
http://www.amazon.com/Evolving-Self-Mihaly-Csikszentmihalyi/dp/0060921927
I assumed it was just a word I had not encountered before, and hadn't realised until recently that it had any tinges of netty-ness.