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Dreams: Difference between revisions
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'''Dreams''' are defined as the succession of hallucinatory images, scenarios, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur involuntarily within the mind during certain stages of sleep. Although the content and purpose of dreams are not well understood they have been a topic of scientific research, as well as philosophical and religious interest throughout many aspects of recorded history. There is solid scientific evidence which clearly indicates that dreams are a common occurrence throughout the lives of most human beings and other mammals in general.<ref>Do Animals Dream? Science Shows Of Course They Do, Rats Too | | '''Dreams''' are defined as the succession of hallucinatory images, scenarios, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur involuntarily within the mind during certain stages of sleep. Although the content and purpose of dreams are not well understood they have been a topic of scientific research, as well as philosophical and religious interest throughout many aspects of recorded history. There is solid scientific evidence which clearly indicates that dreams are a common occurrence throughout the lives of most human beings and other mammals in general.<ref>{{Citation | title=Do Animals Dream? Science Shows Of Course They Do, Rats Too | publisher=Psychology Today | url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/201212/do-animals-dream-science-shows-course-they-do-rats-too}}</ref> Although there may be many [[psychoactive substance index|psychoactive substances]] which are capable of inducing realistic [[internal hallucinations|hallucinations]], it is worth noting that these compounds simply induce a state of mind during waking consciousness which the brain is already adept at generating during normal sleep.{{citation needed}} | ||
Dreams may be broken down into five differing levels of clarity and intensity described below: | Dreams may be broken down into five differing levels of clarity and intensity described below: | ||
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==Subjective effects== | ==Subjective effects== | ||
===Internally sourced sensory input=== | ===Internally sourced sensory input=== | ||
The most fundamental component of any dream or hallucinatory state can be defined as some form perceivable sensory input. This differs from that of everyday sensory input in that it is received from an internal source created by a person's own mind as opposed to an external source within their perceivable surrounding environment. A dreamscape, the internal environment in which a dream takes place, is capable of manifesting itself completely realistically, with convincing and detailed equivalents of any or all of the five senses across varying degrees of vividness and intensity. | The most fundamental component of any dream or hallucinatory state can be defined as some form of perceivable sensory input. This differs from that of everyday sensory input in that it is received from an internal source created by a person's own mind as opposed to an external source within their perceivable surrounding environment. A dreamscape, the internal environment in which a dream takes place, is capable of manifesting itself completely realistically, with convincing and detailed equivalents of any or all of the five senses across varying degrees of vividness and intensity. | ||
===Externally sourced sensory input=== | ===Externally sourced sensory input=== | ||
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When communicated with through spoken word the level of coherency in which these entities can reply with is highly variable but can be broken down into 4 distinct levels of communication: | When communicated with through spoken word the level of coherency in which these entities can reply with is highly variable but can be broken down into 4 distinct levels of communication: | ||
# '''Silence''' - this level can be defined as a complete unresponsiveness from the side of the dream character and an incapability of speech despite their prominent presence within the dream. | #'''Silence''' - this level can be defined as a complete unresponsiveness from the side of the dream character and an incapability of speech despite their prominent presence within the dream. | ||
#'''Partially defined incoherent speech''' - this level can be defined as audible linguistic conversational responses and noises which sound like words but do not contain any real content or meaning beyond a vague sense of emotional intent. | #'''Partially defined incoherent speech''' - this level can be defined as audible linguistic conversational responses and noises which sound like words but do not contain any real content or meaning beyond a vague sense of emotional intent. | ||
#'''Fully defined incoherent speech''' - this level can be defined as audible linguistic conversational responses and noises which contain fully defined and understandable words but often lack grammatical structure or general coherency. | #'''Fully defined incoherent speech''' - this level can be defined as audible linguistic conversational responses and noises which contain fully defined and understandable words but often lack grammatical structure or general coherency. | ||
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===Scenarios and plots=== | ===Scenarios and plots=== | ||
Each dream component is randomly shuffled and compiled into an infinite variety of potential plots and scenarios. These may be positive or negative to experience and are challenging to define in a comprehensive manner in much the same way that we cannot predict the plot of abstract literature or films. They can, however, be broken down into basic occurrences which entail visiting any number of settings which contain within them any number of interactive dream characters. Additionally, completely unpredictable plot devices, events, and occurrences force the dreamer to become involved | Each dream component is randomly shuffled and compiled into an infinite variety of potential plots and scenarios. These may be positive or negative to experience and are challenging to define in a comprehensive manner in much the same way that we cannot predict the plot of abstract literature or films. They can, however, be broken down into basic occurrences which entail visiting any number of settings which contain within them any number of interactive dream characters. Additionally, completely unpredictable plot devices, events, and occurrences force the dreamer to become involved within the specific scenario of the dream. | ||
These scenarios and plots can be linear and logical, with events that occur in a logical sequence which lead into each other through cause and effect. Equally likely, however, are scenarios and plots that present themselves | These scenarios and plots can be linear and logical, with events that occur in a logical sequence which lead into each other through cause and effect. Equally likely, however, are scenarios and plots that present themselves | ||
as nonsensical and incoherent. This means that the plot will occur with natural events which are capable of switching between each other repeatedly in rapid succession. The plots themselves can either be entirely new experiences that are unlike anything experienced within the real world, old experiences, such as [[memory replays]], or a combination of the two. | as nonsensical and incoherent. This means that the plot will occur with natural events which are capable of switching between each other repeatedly in rapid succession. The plots themselves can either be entirely new experiences that are unlike anything experienced within the real world, old experiences, such as [[memory replays]], or a combination of the two. It is possible in some cases for the plot of the dream to be changed by the thoughts of the dreamer, for example the dreamer could think of a person and the person appear around the corner. However this is anecdotal and not common.{{citation needed}} | ||
The perception of time in hallucinatory dream scenarios typically feel as if they are being experienced in real-time, which means that if 20 seconds are perceived to have passed within the dream the same amount of time will have elapsed in the real world. However, it is also possible for [[time distortion|time distortions]] to occur, resulting in scenarios and plots that can feel as if they last days, weeks, or even an infinite amount of time. | The perception of time in hallucinatory dream scenarios typically feel as if they are being experienced in real-time, which means that if 20 seconds are perceived to have passed within the dream the same amount of time will have elapsed in the real world. However, it is also possible for [[time distortion|time distortions]] to occur, resulting in scenarios and plots that can feel as if they last days, weeks, or even an infinite amount of time. | ||
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==Hypotheses for the mechanics of dreams== | ==Hypotheses for the mechanics of dreams== | ||
While the exact mechanics of dreams remain unknown and the [[Tulpa|tulpa phenomenon]] remains unproven scientifically, the | While the exact mechanics of dreams remain unknown and the [[Tulpa|tulpa phenomenon]] remains unproven scientifically, the tulpa community has given rise to several popular speculative hypotheses that try to explain the mechanics that would allow people to experience the phenomenon, one of which is proposed below. | ||
===Simulatory mind hypothesis=== | ===Simulatory mind hypothesis=== | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Responsible use]] | *[[Responsible use]] | ||
*[[Lucid dreaming]] | *[[Lucid dreaming]] | ||
*[[Hypnagogia]] | *[[Hypnagogia]] | ||
*[[Sleep paralysis]] | *[[Sleep paralysis]] | ||
==External links== | |||
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream Dream (Wikipedia)] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Proofread]][[Category:Oneironautics]] | [[Category:Proofread]] | ||
[[Category:Oneironautics]] | |||
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