Notational

i’ve been reading about the biological aspects of willpower lately. there is actually a part of the brain in charge of willpower, and the more developed it is, the easier it is for you to utilize your will. how does it become more developed? by using it, by exercising your will just like a muscle. turns out the most simple, efficient, and effective way to to that is with basic breathing meditation.

the part of the brain that deals with willpower also deals with long range planning, which makes sense, and with things like altruism and compassion, which is fascinating to me.
it was the last part of our brain to evolve, and is also the last to develop in individuals during a life span, it’s usually not done growing till around the age of 28.
things like alcohol consumption can markedly stunt it’s development, which is interesting because this is the part of the brain that helps you to not drink, or do other drugs, in the first place. see that trap?
i can’t help but look at that 28 and think about how the average human life span for most of our time on earth so far was supposedly between 30-40 years. that implies some interesting thresholds and feedback loops and shit. like, if you can get your culture to keep people alive past 30 (without becoming drunks), they can potentially develop this part of the brain and then teach younger folks how to exercise it earlier. huh.

i need to get into a regular meditation practice. that shit is necessary.