Wayfinding Part 5: Consciousness and Subconsciousness

Wayfinding #5

by Hugh Howey, Graham Vick (Reading)

In part five of this series, we take a step back from examples of the struggles we face and solutions for conquering those struggles and delve deeper into the two levels of thought that are often in conflict. We look at the consciousness and subconsciousness and how the two are in dialog with one another. More importantly, we examine how the consciousness likely formed, and how its adaptation may have been for a different purpose entirely. In the Wayfinder portion of the work, I conclude the delivery of my first sailboat from Baltimore to Charleston, a trip that very nearly ended in ruin.

Genres: Nonfiction

MP3 CD

First published July 27, 2015

About the author

I'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.

A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.

Reviews

[Jeff Koeppen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this installment Howey delves in to how our brains developed and how the conscious and subconscious battle it out day in and day out. Rational modern humans are are basically up against their own brains whose primitive parts act on urge and whim via basic impulses in an attempt to maximize reproduction. This has been how hominid brains have been wired for millions of years. Humans eventually evolved language and theory of mind which created our consciousness and allowed us to move in a different direction from other advanced live forms, but our brains control us more than we realize.

He also delves in to language development and how it allowed us to better share information and transfer our inner thoughts with other humans. He follows this with a short primer of how our memory works, especially how we’ve developed a skill to remember only what is important, but still retain less important information buried deep for later recall if needed. The information is presented in a very concise manner with the author adding his own spin.

In the second, storytelling, half Howey finishes the adventure he started in the last installment: his and his friend’s harrowing and exhausting sailboat trip from Baltimore to Charleston. This part covers the Cape Hatteras to Charleston leg. As a young man, this was his first sailing trip and he didn’t really know what he was doing. They navigated dangerously stormy waters off the NC coast and the whole experience sounded like a horror movie. In retrospect he admits it was a terrible and stupid idea but they survived despite nearly losing the boat multiple times and being horribly seasick and thinking they were going to die.

Looking forward to the next installment when he addresses depression and relates more boating tales.

[Edmund Davis-Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series so far, but I think I prefer his adventures at sea to the self help. I kind of wonder if they should just be separate books. I definitely would buy the one about Hugh's adventures at sea.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Wayfinding installment. Covers some brief discussion on language development, theory of mind, and the development of consciousness.

[Carin Camen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh Howey's Wayfinding series isn't his highest seller, which in my opinion is a loss to every reader who enjoys this author. It is in this series that you get to know the author on a deeper level. Hugh shares his innermost thoughts of his introspective journey as he sails around the world. I recommend that you read the entire series.

We often look at what Hugh shares online and think it's all fun and games. The Wayfinding series, shares the reality of sailing and the daily struggles one goes through physically and emotionally. It is in his journey around the world, that Hugh gives you access to his fears, insecurities and struggles. He is known for showing the world who he is, Wayfinding takes that concept and expands introspectively.

Some of his philosophies may challenge you to think about your own. Whether you agree with him or not, isn't what's important. It's all about embracing the journey that he invites you to participate in.

Wayfinding Part 1: Rats and Rafts
Wayfinding Part 2: Hell and Heaven
Wayfinding Part 3: Hot & Cold
Wayfinding Part 4: Old World & New
Wayfinding Part 5: Consciousness and Subconsciousness
Wayfinding Part 6: Highs and Lows
Wayfinding Part 7: In-Grouping and Out-Grouping
Wayfinding - Food and Fitness

Thank you Hugh for letting us be a part of your travels around the world. Your willingness to share personal insight and struggles in your Wayfinding journey helps to give hope in overcoming the storms of life, when the waves comes crashing down around you.

While I enjoyed reading this series, I would thoroughly enjoy having this series undergo a rewrite with retrospective thoughts as you conclude your travels.

[Kenneth Buff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment of Hugh's Wayfinding series. In this installment he discusses how our brains developed. Subconscious coming first (or the lizard brain, if you will) and consciousness only coming later as a side effect of language and theory of mind (tools we needed to be able to communicate with others). It's great stuff, gets you thinking, and makes me feel like I'm not the only one out there who feels that my mind is at war with the primitive urges of my body.

I'm glad Hugh's taken the time to sit down and explain this concept of making peace with that inner war. If applied, the concepts in this series can be life changing.

[Marcos Pinto · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brief book offers very interesting info and a thrilling real story. But when I reached the end I felt as if something, or a lot, was missing. So what is the information you promissed? Oh, ok, this is a series... so if I want to see more I have to read the next book. And the previous ones. So maybe after I read all of them I will give them all 5 stars, who knows? Until then this is just a promisse.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish these were longer. I know they are simplified on subject matter to introduce you to the topic and get you thinking but this one especially felt oversimplified.