Course 3: PL 102 - Denial & Distractions (Discussion 3)

1) denial is a situation when a person tries to refuse to accept what is true, either consciously or unconsciously. 2) The unconscious was developed very early since childhood and we were not in control of them. If we want to change our automatic unconsious respond, it will take time 3 a.)Online distractions(social media, games, streaming services), Food and Offline Distractions (school, employment and accomplishments) 3 b.) I think online distractions are the most powerful as they are very entertaining but can quickly make us lose track of time because it can be addictive.

How would you define denial in your own words?
In my own words, I would define denial as the refusal to accept reality for the sense of comfort that comes from familiar things.

What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?
The most important thing I learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious is that those are things that could be learned behavior. We can’t control what operates outside of our awareness or the unconscious, but we can control how we react and respond to it.

What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems?
I believe the top 3 distraction systems are:

1. Online distractions
2. School
3. Accomplishments

Which one of these is the most powerful and why?
I would say the online distractions system is the most powerful for me personally as it’s where I find myself spending the most amount of time. Though I do understand that I am accountable to my own bias and this might not be the case for everyone.

@GlenM

1. How would you define denial in your own words? ÃÂ

Denial is when we can't accept some things it seems easier to deny things to just accept it maybe our brain goes into survival mode to protect us from negative emotions we go into denial. I had read somewhere that our brain will go the extra mile to avoid getting hurt I think denial is our brain going the extra mile to not getting hurt.

2. What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?

I think that The more we ignore the unintegrated pieces of ourselves, the less developed they become. They stay stunted and immature.

3. What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems? Which one of these is the most powerful and why?

The top 3 distractions for me would be

1. Food: I think food is a common distraction I have seen many people using food as a distraction. Food companies tend to create food in a way that releases a lot of dopamine and gets us hooked.

2. Online distraction: Online distractions is the worlds largest form of distraction these days. Internet has a lot to offer to distract us and keep us from facing our problems Social media sites, Games you name it you can find just about anything online

3. Wealth: I think everyone strives for money to have a good life to bring happiness to be able to pay the bills but wealth can destroy everything

Every winner was once a loser who got up and gave it one more shot

How would you define denial in your own words?
Denial is when a person does not accept that there is a problem. This unacceptance can either be conscious or unconscious.

What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?
A lot of the behaviours we show happen when we are unaware as we have repeated them so many times we have learnt them to the point of being able to practice them on an unconscious level. For example, like in the book, driving. After years of experience, some driving behaviours can be done without us even realising, such as turning on our turn signals.

What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems?
I think it depends on the generation a person was brought up in. I, for example, am a young adult brought up in the Gen Z era, and I think the top distraction system for me is social media. I grew up in a time where smartphones were normal and where social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. were a lot more sophisticated than when they originally came out.. My brothers who are a little older than me were brought up in the Millennial generation, in a time where technology was a lot less advanced than it is currently. Smartphones were not really a thing, and social media sites were a lot more basic, but the Internet did exist and was fast-growing. For them, I would say the biggest distraction system would be the Internet. And then we have people like my parents, who grew up in the Generation X era. During the early Gen X years the Internet was not a thing, it was all about television. The TV had recently become colourised, and there was a lot to watch. I think the biggest distraction for my parents would be the TV.
The common theme amongst all three of these generations of people is that the biggest distraction system is what was new and big when the people in these generations were children. With Gen Z, social media was booming. With Millenials, the internet was booming. With Gen X, the television was booming. From this, we can suggest that childhood experiences account for a persons’ biggest distraction systems as an adult.

Which one of these is the most powerful and why?
Again, I would have to say that it differs between generations. For me I would say that the most powerful distraction system is social media, and that is because it is something that was very big during my teenage years. I grew up with everybody talking about social media, with friend requests being sent out left, right and center, and with social media sites having a lot of the spotlight.

1. How would you define denial in your own words?

Denial – for me is not accepting the reality. Sometimes we are too afraid to face what is going on and it’s just easier for us to believe that there is nothing wrong. I think its just a self-preserving mechanism. However, it leads to harm. Accepting the reality is half the battle.

2. What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?

That we do not yet feel comfortable doing it. It takes effort for us to do those things. I am reminded of how driving in the beginning and then at the end. It becomes a part of our thinking process and there is no effort. That’s where things should be.

3. What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems? Which one of these is the most powerful and why?

1.Consumerism – I think a lot of people distract themselves by being part of a movement. They buy things to fill the holes in their lives.

2. Social Media – Social media allows us to focus on others lives instead of our owns. People follow the lives of others even celebrities.

3. Gaming – A lot of people are now spending loads and loads of time to live in virtual environment. As the game technology improves, the consumers average duration spend also increases.

Social Media is the biggest issue according to me. Aside from creating many negative impacts, its an easy distraction. Most people can access it through their phones at any time for free.

1. How would you define denial in your own words? ÃÂ
Denial blocks out things that don’t feel good or that can be too difficult to deal with or face. It can be when we ignore what is true and focus on other things to distract ourselves.

2. What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?
To keep an open mind and perspective so that even if we aren’t aware or see some things, that if we are made aware of it as a possibility, we can then allow ourselves to have the ability to change or grow by accepting that possibility.

3. What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems? Which one of these is the most powerful and why?
Social Media (Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram), News/Media (CNN, FOX, NBC, etc.) and Money. I think Social Media is and has become the most powerful. It has the ability to influence and make things appear to be something it is not. It can sway people’s beliefs. It makes people feel bad about themselves and make them think they need more than they do to be satisfied. It takes their focus away from things that really matter.

1. How would you define denial in your own words?
Denial is a defence mechanism that makes us not accepting reality. If we have repressed feelings, they can cause anxiety. Denial, just like other defence mechanisms, gets you back in place of balance and equanimity.

2. What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?
I learned that we find comfort in some people and experiences because they support our unconscious relationship patterns. Also, things at the unconscious level help in learning and are very crucial for our well-being.

3. What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems? Which one of these is the most powerful and why?
The top three distraction systems according to me are food, social media, and accomplishments.
Food is the most powerful distraction system to me. From using colours that attracts us to using flavours that appeal to our taste buds, the food industry has hooked us to unhealthy eating habits. At times when we feel out of energy to cook, we would grab something quick to eat. That negatively impacts our health.

@GlenM

1. How would you define denial in your own words?

In my own words, denial is the feeling of being stuck on something due to fear or shock. It can be extremely for people to cope with certain emotions which makes them unable to move on. It is very hard for them and it is totally valid to feel that way. For example, when a relative that I loved passed away I did not even cry, I was in shock and so afraid of them being dead (it was not unexpected) that I just did not react, I acted like it did not really happen and I ended up feeling it for the first time after a year. I was also struggling with mental health issues so I was emotionally unavailable.

2. What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?

It is very important to point that we do not yet feel comfortable operating outside of awareness. It takes effort for us to do those things. I am reminded of how driving in the beginning and then at the end. It becomes a part of our thinking process and there is no effort. That’s where things should be.

3. What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems? Which one of these is the most powerful and why?

1.Consumerism: I think this one is a tool that some people use to reward themselves and it makes them feel better and it can just be a way for people to use it as a distraction.

2. Social Media: I do not have social media, but I do know some about it. People mainly use it because it allows them to have what I call a "virtual life", which means that it is just easier to act like everything is perfect or just look at other people's lives to forget about your own.

3. Gaming: I think these issues come before social media since games are older than the internet. I have noticed that it has become very common now that we have better quality games and the global pandemic that have kept some in lockdown for a while so gaming is their only safe distraction.

All of these distraction systems can be addictive but I would say that social media is the worst because unlike the other ones social media is available to all people who have access to the internet. Also, social media can be used for negative purposes such as bullying people and shaming publicly others as well. It is not always very regulated since there are way too many people posting things all the time, therefore there is not a lot that can be done to stop it.

How would you define denial in your own words?
Denial for me is pushing the truth away, ignoring it continuously, and hoping it one day goes away. slowly this thing you keep denying and pushing away gets bigger, worse until it spirals and it can have horrible consequences to deal with.
What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious?
I like the idea of it being called the shadow of our minds/identity. I think to deal with these the best way possible is with self-care, being mindful of our surroundings, decisions, and actions so we can have better control of them and make fewer wrong decisions. They no longer control us, we control them, learn from them and grow with them.
What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems? Which one of these is the most powerful and why?
Social media, mental health, and alcohol are my top 3.
For me the 3 ties in together. My mental health is at a very low level, social media is my escape, it keeps me in touch with the outside world and alcohol suppresses the pain.

1. How would you define denial in your own words? Convincing yourself something isn't true when it is, causing dishonesty for yourself.

2. What is the most important thing you learned about things that operate outside of awareness or the unconscious? It can be a learned beavior

3. What do you believe are the top 3 distraction systems? Which one of these is the most powerful and why? Social media, sleep, and television. I thinl social media is the most powerful because there is no end to how you can scroll through yourfeed; you can distract yourself for a very long time.