People are generally very good at processing information. A lot of this is done subconsciously though and this subconscious thought puts cues into the conscious mind if the information is determined to be relevant.
Today we’re going to be talking about what happens when you reach the end of conscious processing ability. That weird twilight zone where you know something is happening but you can’t process 100% of it as it’s happening.
Probably the best analogy for how we process things are computers. They have certain factors involved that determine how fast the information is put out as it is received and analyzed.
Sometimes there is lag and things drop behind. Whether it is the frame rate, the responsiveness of the program (usually games), or the clarity of the situation. When you’re playing FPS games these are extremely important factors.
Since I recently upgraded my PC setup I have had less trouble with frame rate drops. But I still have the problem with lag and a few other environmental things. There is however one persona thing that I have to deal with. That is my personal processing ability.
People train and train and train to be able to work quickly and efficiently in stressful situations but there comes a time where they hit the White Wall. The White Wall is when the situation is going so fast we cannot consciously follow it. Things going faster than our sight can comprehend and sometimes situations going faster than expected result in the White Wall.
That fraction of a second where your brain seems to shut down and then start up and suddenly the world has changed. I’ve had this happen couple times and each time everything goes white, hence the name White Wall. Whether it was when I slipped in the snow or was in an extremely fast paced game it got to the point where for that fraction of a second I couldn’t see or reason about what was going on.
I was flying blind and by instinct in those few seconds. Sometimes we hit the Wall at unexpected times and for some it might take less. you are literally processing things as fast as you can. To the point where you can and your subconscious takes over for a bit.
Sometimes that’s just what it takes to get out of a situation. Others it’s a safety catch on your mind. Either way you are operating at the very limits of your conscious mind. So train until your actions can be easily used by your subconscious. Otherwise your backup driver will not have the tools it needs to keep you functioning.
Think about it.
Sincerely,
The Irreverent Gentleman
gentlemansuniversityofmanliness 