I know this sort of thing is already a common topic around here, so consider this the solution-oriented thread:
If you disagree with this goal then please take it to this thread instead. Sorry, I'm just more interested in solutions than rehashing the same debate between the two sides.
I consider this very important. Emotional responses cause one to act how one wants, not how one should. This is bad. At the very least it would be desirable to control improper impulses with 100% effectiveness, I'm sure at least all could agree to that (although if you don't, take it somewhere else please). Where you wish to draw the line on which impulses are improper and which are not is your own business, I suppose.
A few of my own ideas:
1) Redirection - letting the response out but in a different manner than perhaps it originally demanded. A simple example would be hitting a punching bag when angry instead of taking it out on the source of the anger.
Problem: This is just sort of a crutch. In fact it feeds and reinforces the tendency by indulging it, so you're essentially training yourself to give in to the impulse. In general it also seems bad to direct things at other sources than their cause. Is it ok to be a dick to people just because you're having a bad day? No.
2) Meditative suppression - Something along the lines of simply closing your eyes and reminding yourself, "Fuck this shit. I'm stronger than this. This thing won't beat me. Just recognize it for what it is, and let it go." Breathing exercises or something. I remember the Bene Gesserit litany against fear from the novel Dune here:
Ok well that's very grandiose and silly, I don't recommend taking that literally, but it gets the point across. This also seems like true suppression, unlike the previous method.
Problem: It would seem that this just leads to burying stuff inside, where, quote Futurama, "it can fester quietly as a mental illness." I fear this is not a viable long-term solution (personal experience seems to agree), or at least will not work for stronger responses that need to be suppressed.
3) Chemical/physiological solutions - Seems fairly self-explanatory. I'd wager that drug use is actually one of the most common ways that people deal with this problem, whether they even realize it is in fact a problem they're dealing with or not. Ever drink because you're depressed? Congrats, you're relying on a chemical solution. Beyond that we could look at what parts of the nervous or endocrine systems lead to these responses and deal with them directly. Surgery would be an obvious (and extreme) example, although areas of the brain have been able to be suppressed using magnetic fields as well.
Problem: I know of no real medical or chemical procedure for this, and I suspect any that would come close probably has extreme negative side effects (e.g. lobotomy, dissociative drugs, etc.). Particularly on the chemical side of things, you're relying on a crutch. What happens when your precious drugs aren't around to help you?
4) Avoidance - Simply staying away from situations that would lead to such responses and impulses. As soon as you feel it beginning, GTFO.
Problem: Simply not practical, life demands that you do shit and avoiding all situations like this would just not work. Plus some responses would seem to be innate and not situational - there is no way to avoid it. Most importantly though, this is the opposite of an actual solution. The point is to be able to suppress your natural instincts in order to better deal with yourself and the world around you. This is the exact opposite of what we really want to accomplish here.
5) Miscellaneous - Not really an idea, but I am somewhat curious what input the various religious/spiritual traditions might have on the issue. Thinking somewhat of monks, ascetics, Buddhists, stoics, etc. They seem to attempt the same thing to some degree, although perhaps for very different reasons.
These are just ideas, not necessarily good ones. I was hoping someone out there might provide more valuable input than I can on the subject. I suspect that the best solution is probably some combination of utilizing lesser, imperfect solutions. I doubt there is a silver bullet for this problem.
What are the best methods of suppressing emotional responses totally and completely? How do you deal with them? What are your solutions? Do they help?
If you disagree with this goal then please take it to this thread instead. Sorry, I'm just more interested in solutions than rehashing the same debate between the two sides.
I consider this very important. Emotional responses cause one to act how one wants, not how one should. This is bad. At the very least it would be desirable to control improper impulses with 100% effectiveness, I'm sure at least all could agree to that (although if you don't, take it somewhere else please). Where you wish to draw the line on which impulses are improper and which are not is your own business, I suppose.
A few of my own ideas:
1) Redirection - letting the response out but in a different manner than perhaps it originally demanded. A simple example would be hitting a punching bag when angry instead of taking it out on the source of the anger.
Problem: This is just sort of a crutch. In fact it feeds and reinforces the tendency by indulging it, so you're essentially training yourself to give in to the impulse. In general it also seems bad to direct things at other sources than their cause. Is it ok to be a dick to people just because you're having a bad day? No.
2) Meditative suppression - Something along the lines of simply closing your eyes and reminding yourself, "Fuck this shit. I'm stronger than this. This thing won't beat me. Just recognize it for what it is, and let it go." Breathing exercises or something. I remember the Bene Gesserit litany against fear from the novel Dune here:
Frank Herbert said:I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Ok well that's very grandiose and silly, I don't recommend taking that literally, but it gets the point across. This also seems like true suppression, unlike the previous method.
Problem: It would seem that this just leads to burying stuff inside, where, quote Futurama, "it can fester quietly as a mental illness." I fear this is not a viable long-term solution (personal experience seems to agree), or at least will not work for stronger responses that need to be suppressed.
3) Chemical/physiological solutions - Seems fairly self-explanatory. I'd wager that drug use is actually one of the most common ways that people deal with this problem, whether they even realize it is in fact a problem they're dealing with or not. Ever drink because you're depressed? Congrats, you're relying on a chemical solution. Beyond that we could look at what parts of the nervous or endocrine systems lead to these responses and deal with them directly. Surgery would be an obvious (and extreme) example, although areas of the brain have been able to be suppressed using magnetic fields as well.
Problem: I know of no real medical or chemical procedure for this, and I suspect any that would come close probably has extreme negative side effects (e.g. lobotomy, dissociative drugs, etc.). Particularly on the chemical side of things, you're relying on a crutch. What happens when your precious drugs aren't around to help you?
4) Avoidance - Simply staying away from situations that would lead to such responses and impulses. As soon as you feel it beginning, GTFO.
Problem: Simply not practical, life demands that you do shit and avoiding all situations like this would just not work. Plus some responses would seem to be innate and not situational - there is no way to avoid it. Most importantly though, this is the opposite of an actual solution. The point is to be able to suppress your natural instincts in order to better deal with yourself and the world around you. This is the exact opposite of what we really want to accomplish here.
5) Miscellaneous - Not really an idea, but I am somewhat curious what input the various religious/spiritual traditions might have on the issue. Thinking somewhat of monks, ascetics, Buddhists, stoics, etc. They seem to attempt the same thing to some degree, although perhaps for very different reasons.
These are just ideas, not necessarily good ones. I was hoping someone out there might provide more valuable input than I can on the subject. I suspect that the best solution is probably some combination of utilizing lesser, imperfect solutions. I doubt there is a silver bullet for this problem.