Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Dreams

What do people think about their dreams? Is it just random neurons firing off that offer us confusing images? Are they thoughts we wouldn't normally think about in real life? Are they something else? I'm not sure, but I find them one of the most interesting things in our lives.

I remember ones where I have been falling, climbing, running, and laying down. They all felt pretty real and yet I never moved. Does this subject interest anyone else?

I especially enjoy talking about Dejavu. How does this happen? Is it real or a myth? I think it's real, but I could be wrong...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I personally find dreams interesting, unfortunately I usually don't end up remembering them.

I usually remember where I was - last time it was a yellow colored laundromat. There aren't many other times where you see random places / people / events pulled together in a way that probably wouldn't happen in real life.

Unknown said...

I think dreams are very interesting but I don't think that they can tell you too much. My dreams are often a mix of recent events and random people, places, and things. I've had a dream that solved a problem of mine, a dream that predicted the future, and a dream that turned into a poetic metaphor. None of those experinces has convinced me however that dreams have any special power.

One interesting thing that Dan J told me is that he dreams and remembers in third-person detail. I dream and remember in first-person and it seems strange to me to reconstruct your memories into third person.

Another interesting thing that I've noticed is that during a nightmare I can realize that I'm dreaming and I can take control of the dream. I'm usually running from something in my nightmare but I can't run very fast. It feels like running through water. I think this happens because my arms and legs are constrained by my covers and mattress. Even in my dreams however, I KNOW that I am a fast runner. It is my constant, and when I can't run in my nightmare I disbelieve the dream. I realize that I'm dreaming and I take control.

Joe, I would advise checking this link about deja vu:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=what-exactly-is-dj-vu&page=1

Tea Talker said...

My dreams have been rather vivid, to the point where I feel they are real. I often have them about anxiety. I probably have them about other things, but those stick with me the most. When I'm failing or not being seen, or not able to stop at a place. I will have to look into dejavu more. Thanks for the article Dan:)

Anonymous said...

Lucid dreaming is the term for controlling your dreams. Some people have developed the ability to do whatever they want in their dreams. Don't like where you are? Spin in circles in your dream and think of a new place. I wish I could do it.

However, I think dreams are probably just the brain's way of sorting through memories and storing them. I probably think that because most of my dreams that I remember are completely random, but not scary or profound in any way. I know other people who have terrifying, morbid, gruesome nightmares almost every night. Why? Who knows.