So like changing the filter that we perceive the world with to notice more of what we’d like to see in it. In this case, all the opportunities to do the stuff we really like to do.
Or more practical, the guy that buys a screaming red Jeep and believes himself unique because he never saw any Jeeps with that color around. But once he bought it, he suddenly sees them everywhere, he simply never noticed them before.
I think even JCast can agree with that one. Nothing mystical about our internal perceptual filter.
It doesn’t explain how somebody that likes doing something that earns them no money seems to always have enough money to keep doing it though…
I like it so far. There’s an aspect of gamification in it where the more you manage to stay calm, the more badges, points and milestones you earn. Combine it with something like PLAYNE and meditation becomes a lot of fun. Not Wild Divine fun, but still a lot of fun.
From a scientist’s perspective it is fun to experiment what can break the meditative state and what doesn’t. I’ve been getting better quite fast with all the feedback given through the app.
It is remarkably hard to stay in the state. Like how when you breathe, every time you inhale your heart rate rises slightly and then drops when you exhale. The Muse sees a similar pulse going on in the brainwaves. The trick is to keep it low enough that it stays in the calm zone. I think my record so far is about 8 minutes uninterrupted.
I got the S-model which also registers sleep. Starting this month, it is supposed to register REM, light and deep sleep, as well as movement during sleep (sleeping on the sides or back). That seems interesting to know as well.
The sensors register my brainwaves effortlessly. Muse recommends using a bit of water to improve conductivity, I use a tiny bit of Aloe Vera gel instead, since it’s a very good conductor (great for TENS/EMS) and doesn’t leave any stains from the looks of it.
The annual subscription is initially not necessary as there’s quite a bit of content for free. I haven’t activated mine yet. Which reminds me, they’re having a challenge-series for which I still need to register.
The downsides for me are:
- The fact that I’m old-school and don’t like constantly recharging batteries, which is pretty much a given if you want to track your sleep every night. I know batteries nowadays don’t need full cycles anymore, so maybe I’ll get used to it. I wish manufacturers still made batteries replaceable.
- The idea that there is a Bluetooth broadcast right on top of my head all night long. It may be BLE, which barely does anything, but still.
- I really would like to see the actual brainwaves (Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta) that it registers rather than a summary of the state they produce. I think it’s possible to get raw data, but I haven’t looked into it yet.
- The phone app apparently doesn’t turn off once it’s open, it needs the foreground. So my phone’s battery goes fast when using the Muse.
All in all I’m not unhappy with the purchase. I don’t consider it a waste of my money. It’s rare for me to truly think something was worth it, but this is close. All depends on me getting into the habit of using it more often.
Given the price, if you do get one, I recommend going straight for the S model. And of course, make sure you keep using it often enough to warrant the expenditure.
I don’t know if they still do the 50 bucks off. If not, maybe there’s a give-a-friend-a-discount code somewhere on my account, I can check if you’d like.
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.”
– Joseph Campbell
Who is this Campbell guy and what has he been smoking? Wasn’t he the chicken soup guy?
I like the quote though. Imagining there’s a pulse in the Universe and in Nature makes them feel alive, and the idea of reaching a harmonic state with it… I wonder what that would do mentally.
Another uneventful day, I guess it was mostly an uneventful week. I went out walking for an hour or so and spent most of the evening getting the top spot in Duolingo only to have that stupid app not register it.
I also tried out my new dryer. I know it sounds silly, but I do try and allow for the smaller things in life to make me happy, and getting a fluffy warm blanket out of the dryer and wrapping it around me is definitely one of those things that gives me a sense of fulfillment.
I got really tired in the evening, I even dozed off somewhere during a Harry Potter marathon. And when I did o to bed I once again slept less hours than expected. I like the idea that my body is starting to self-regulate my sleep.
And that’s about it, I guess I’ll have to be happy with the tiny changes.
