Blog

Insights into the development of Conifold Theory and introduction of strategies which employ these theoretical principles in mental health practice. Included are some resources and tips for engaging in conscious perception, predictive modeling, and behavioral choice.

Shaping the future

We can consciously choose how we expend time and energy resources to change the world, by putting the work into understanding the external environment and our selves. With understanding of the world comes clarity in decision-making.

conifoldtheory

Oct 29, 20243 min read

Building predictive models

Instead of acting reflexively, we can consciously combine memories with incoming sensory data to build predictive models of the world.

conifoldtheory

Oct 15, 20243 min read

Making sense of the past

Validation helps us to accept and process difficult information.

conifoldtheory

Oct 1, 20242 min read

Considering PTSD (in terms of thermodynamic computation)

Neuroscientists are learning to consider perceptual error and decisional error as functional outcomes of Bayesian priors. In terms of clinical practice, we can use this knowledge to guide patients with PTSD toward healthier outcomes.

conifoldtheory

Nov 29, 20233 min read

Considering anxiety (in terms of thermodynamic constraints)

In thermodynamic computation, neuroscientists address the time and energy constraints of information processing.

conifoldtheory

Nov 15, 20233 min read

Considering depression (in terms of thermodynamic constraints)

In thermodynamic computation, neuroscientists address the energetic efficiency of information processing.

conifoldtheory

Oct 31, 20233 min read

Conifold Theory Basics, Part 3: How does neural computation generate consciousness?

Perceptual experience and volitional action are tied to neuronal activity in the cerebral cortex. How does that computational process work?

conifoldtheory

Dec 20, 20225 min read

Conifold Theory Basics, Part 2: Defining Information

Computation involves parsing information to extract a signal from the noise - to extract meaningful patterns from a messy dataset.

conifoldtheory

Dec 13, 20223 min read

Conifold Counseling Basics, Part 1: Defining Consciousness

Consciousness is about perceiving the world, building an understanding of the world, and choosing our actions in the world.

conifoldtheory

Dec 6, 20223 min read

Notes from Izi: Healing from trauma

Trauma affects our understanding of the world. To heal, we must build a new cognitive model – one that does not erase the wounds of the...

Izi

Dec 14, 20216 min read

Notes from Izi: Healing through grief

Grief is natural after losing someone who once shared our lives. Grief can serve as a reminder to celebrate the past and ensure those...

Izi

Nov 16, 20216 min read

Book Review: A conscious exercise in 'becoming'

Michelle Obama's memoir elegantly demonstrates that understanding 'who we are' allows us to choose our goals, act with intention, and...

Izi

Oct 18, 20216 min read

Grasping the mind: The explanatory power of Conifold Theory

Consciousness has been postulated to be the total amount of information, integrated across an entire neural network. How does...

conifoldtheory

Dec 8, 20204 min read

Notes from Izi: Questioning our reality and our purpose

2020 has given us a lot to think about - not only how to handle a crisis in the present moment, but how to live with existential crisis....

Izi

Dec 1, 20205 min read

Diving into details: The science behind Conifold Theory

The laws of mechanics and thermodynamics, properly applied to biological neural networks, predict that consciousness emerges naturally...

conifoldtheory

Oct 4, 20205 min read

Notes from Izi: Conversations after my TEDx talk

So many thought-provoking conversations and interesting discussions emerged in the moments and days after I publicly introduced Conifold...

Izi

Dec 15, 20195 min read

Nietzsche, baseball, and the question of supervenience

Does consciousness serve any purpose in our lives? Does it do anything? What is consciousness? It’s hard to pin down. Many...

conifoldtheory

Nov 17, 20198 min read

Notes from Izi: Discovery emerges from crisis

Recovering after life has been upended requires tackling the hard questions head-on, rather than pushing them away. For a while, it...

Izi

Oct 12, 20196 min read