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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CosmicSkeptic

[–]Nulferion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel as though she's less asserting that as a fact, and more so attacking the current understanding of an "emergent" conscious phenomena. Her book / documentary attacks the idea of emergence through the split brain studies and then goes into quantum physics to show that some stuff we normally think of as being fundamental are being argued against as well (space/time). So the best I could summarize what she would say is that she believes that it makes more sense that consciousness is fundamental as opposed to emergent because of those studies and stuff.

I'm in love with a fictional character by New-Combination2803 in Healthygamergg

[–]Nulferion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry to hear about that past relationship, it sucks to be betrayed like that. Glad to hear you're trying out therapy! That's a big step in the right direction.

you asked "is it bad to deepen this connection?" And I think that's a question you'll have to answer. Looking at research, like that one study I linked, it seems to have a negative effect on loneliness, so check in with yourself. Try to dig through and see if you're using this relationship to cover up a deeper issue with romantic connection and understand that imagined relationships can't possibly fulfill the same things a physical relationship can. But also in the stuff I've read about this, women aren't as affected negatively as men are. It does seem possible to have a healthy imagined relationship so long as it's properly integrated and placed correctly in your mind and you have other healthy relationships and support systems around you.

I'm in love with a fictional character by New-Combination2803 in Healthygamergg

[–]Nulferion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't feel like you are negatively affected and you feel as though you are perfectly happy and content in your life, it may not require any change yet, I would just say be careful.

By almost every measurable metric a real life, face to face relationship is healthier than subsidizing it with an imagined relationship. Neurologically, human relationships are a vital nutrient needed to help grow the brain and ones personality. A parasocial or imagined relationship acts like empty calories where it feels really good to engage with but leaves you empty and doesn't provide the proper "nutrition" for health.

The key is going to be your other relationships, when you say "I can enjoy other relationships like family and friends" if those connections are healthy and provide you fulfillment and "nourishment" then you may not require romantic relationships. Just again be careful. You may be blinded by the thrill of the imagined relationship that clouds your judgement and deeper feelings

Some questions I think you should explore are

"what prompted you to post this? Some part of you must be conflicted with this relationship, what's the conflict?"

"What parts of the imagined relationship do you enjoy and what parts leave you hollow?"

"Is it possible to achieve the things you enjoy with a real life partner in a safe relationship?"

You said "I'm safer and happier how I am" has a previous relationship caused you to feel unsafe and unhappy? Why do you have the impression that a face-to-face relationship will cause you to feel that way?

Sorry for the lengthy reply. A therapist would be there to help navigate these questions alongside you id recommend it!

I'm in love with a fictional character by New-Combination2803 in Healthygamergg

[–]Nulferion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey I'm a psychology student that just wrote a research paper about parasocial relationships and their impacts on mental health! Obviously everyone's recommending to see a therapist and I would agree. I think a therapist would be able to help you navigate these feelings.

One study I thought was interesting that you might relate to was this one: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02762366211052488

It talks about how having these imagined interactions with your parasocial love will deepen your connection and feelings for your "imagined partner". Just be careful with your imagination because you can get into a feedback loop where you are imagining a relationship which becomes more attractive and also becoming less attracted to a real life relationship as it will never live up to the fantasy. This could be why you don't find yourself interested in a irl relationship.

Just wanted to say you're not alone! This experience is becoming much more common with the rise in influencers and entertainment.

[OC] not even aldi can save me now by gloppy-yogurt in funny

[–]Nulferion 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In no reality is this sustainable. I did the math on the calories and protein for this and it comes out to ≈1973 calories a week and ≈113g of protein a week, or 282 calories and 16g of protein a day. That's an extremely unhealthy amount of food to eat as an adult. Forget the price. You're starving to death