1. The content changed in that I omitted much of the scientific jargon and unnecessary information from my Rough Cut. After creating the video and realizing the overwhelming length (11 minutes), I reevaluated my piece as a whole for the editorial report. Specifically, I found it frivolous to be discussing science and the biology of the brain because it is not pertinent to the self-assessment - it is important for the approach to the project but the delving into detail weakens the entire reflection in my opinion.
2. Form changed in that the length of the script/video was drastically shortened. Keeping it short and sweet and to the point I believe does wonders for the audience so I hope that change in form along with the content editing will strengthen the piece. Each second of the Video Essay should be of compositional value.
a. Selection from Rough Cut (script):
Science explains Charlie Brown’s seesaw sensibility as a fight that is sparked between two parts of the mind when it’s faced with a distasteful activity: a battle of the limbic system (the unconscious zone that includes the pleasure center) and the prefrontal cortex (the internal “planner”). Let us identify both.
What is the limbic system?
The limbic system, one of the oldest and most dominant portions of the brain, is on automatic. It tells you to, say, pull your hand away from a flame—and also to flee from unpleasant tasks. In other words, it directs you to opt for “immediate mood repair,”
What is the prefrontal cortex?
The prefrontal cortex is a newer and weaker portion of the brain. It’s what allows you to integrate information and make decisions. “This is the part of the brain that really separates humans from animals, who are just controlled by stimulus,” says Pychyl. The prefrontal cortex, located immediately behind the forehead (where we tap when we’re trying to think, dammit, think), gets the job done. But there’s nothing automatic about its function. You must kick it into gear (“I have to sit down and write this book report!”). And the moment you’re not consciously engaged in a task, your limbic system takes over. You give in to what feels good—you procrastinate.
When the limbic system wins, and that’s pretty often, the result is putting off for tomorrow what could (and should) be done today.
But why do I keep coming back to something that may temporarily feel good but always ends in more demise than pleasure? If you burn your hand on a stove, you don’t touch it again hoping it’s cold. It’s simple, according to several scientists, it’s pleasure. The small hit of dopamine at the “Ahhh, at last” moment when you conquer procrastination is what psychologically brings us back. In collegiate terms, the euphoric drunk the night before always meets the terrifying hangover the morning after, but you will still drink again.
Re-edited Selection:
Science explains Charlie Brown’s seesaw sensibility as a fight that is sparked between two parts of the mind when it’s faced with a distasteful activity: a battle of the limbic system (the unconscious zone that includes the pleasure center) and the prefrontal cortex (the internal “planner”). When the limbic system wins, and that’s pretty often, the result is putting off for tomorrow what could (and should) be done today.
b. Selection from Rough Cut (script): "Ring a bell? It’s a monologue we all experience in some form, an agonizing internal conversation that usually gets the best of us. It’s the cyclic form of self-torture that goes by the name of procrastination. And that’s where things start to get interesting: Procrastination is so relatable, so universal, because the human brain, it turns out, is wired for it.
As I sit here frantically and ironically submitting my English 109H course final and completing my Psychological Statistics and Measurements final exam, I ponder: there has to be a reason procrastination is so attractive, so universal to the human mind.
It is no coincidence every other college student I pass grimaces at the 10-page paper or cumulative assessment that was assigned much too long ago due tonight. All semester, Sean has stressed involvement and knowledge and moreover passion within our disciplines and majors. So without further ado, here is a neuroscience-oriented reflective self-assessment.
Re-edited Selection:"Ring a bell? It’s a monologue we all experience in some form, an agonizing internal conversation that usually gets the best of us. It’s the cyclic form of self-torture that goes by the name of procrastination. And that’s where things start to get interesting: Procrastination is so relatable, so universal, because the human brain, it turns out, is wired for it.
As I sit here frantically and ironically submitting my project and completing my final exam, I ponder: there has to be a reason procrastination is so attractive, so universal to the human mind.
* LIGHT BULB *
It is no coincidence every other college student I pass grimaces at the 10-page paper or cumulative assessment that was assigned much too long ago due tonight. All semester, Sean has stressed involvement and knowledge and moreover passion within our disciplines and majors. So without further ado, here is a neuroscience-oriented reflective self-assessment.
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