Book 2: Chapter 1: The Analytical Mind and the Standard Memory Bank

In this chapter, Hubbard discusses one of the three divisions of the human mind. The reactive and somatic minds are put off until later so Hubbard can focus on the analytical mind. He also discusses the nature of human memory.

Hubbard defines the analytical mind as the "computational mind" or the "egsusheyftef". Yes, Hubbard invented that word. I think it might be Ewok. Anyway, the analytical mind is the part of the brain that does the calculating. Hubbard compares it to a computer. In fact, "it can and does all the tricks of a computer," whatever that means. Surely he does not mean my mind can connect to others wirelessly (telepathically) and share thoughts on the lolcats Bible translation (I had to find a way to work this into the post. Sorry.). Hubbard must mean the brain is good as sorting and interpreting data.

The analytical mind is not just a good computer, it is a perfect computer.

Ok, so it's GREAT at sorting and interpreting data. I have already addressed the issue of the analytical brain being perfect back in Chapter 2 of Book 1. It is silly to assume anything with moving parts is incapable of making a mistake even under optimal conditions. Wear and tear over time tends to break anything down.

What is new in this chapter is Hubbard's explanation of human memory. I should point out at this time that I am not a neurologist so I really do not have a good understanding of how the brain works regarding how it stores memories. I will lay out Hubbard's claims and leave some interpretation to those who are more knowledgeable. I will point out that Hubbard offers no evidence for any of these claims.

Since the analytical mind is perfect, any error in logic comes from improper data. Therefor, it is important to know where this data comes from. According to Hubbard, there are three types of data: percepts, memory, and imagination. The most important of these is percepts (which I suppose is short for perceptions). These are the data which the brain receives from our senses.

When our body senses something, it is stored in its entirety in "memory banks". These memory banks have "an infinite capacity" (I have heard the actual capacity of the mind to be several terabytes. I would put a link something about it if I could find something reptuable.) and similar to the analytical mind itself "the standard memory banks are perfect, recording faithfully and reliably[emphasis Hubbard]". Hubbard notes, however, that there are times when data is not collected. This is during "moments of 'unconsciousness'". Hubbard gives us a definition of unconsciousness.

Unconsciousness throughout this work means a greater or lesser reduction of awareness on part of the "I"--an attenuation of working power of the analytical mind.

In other words, the mind collects data except when it doesn't [sometimes I wonder why he bothers to define words when leaving them muddled would be more beneficial to his cause.]

You might be wondering where errors in logic and memory come from if our brain computer operates flawlessly and data is always stored perfectly for all individuals. Well "aberration" is attributed to insufficient and erroneous data. Since a well-formed brain is incapable of making a mistake, bad input is the only option.

After this discussion of memory, Hubbard directs his efforts again to the analytical mind, claiming

the analytical mind can influence the heartbeat, the endocrines (such things as calcium and sugar in the blood, adrenaline, etc.)[Goodbye diabetes!], selective blood flow (stopping it in the limbs and starting it as will) [No more viagra!], urine, excreta [Goodbye incontinence?], etc. All glandular, rhythm and fluid functions of the body can [emphasis Hubbard] be at the command of the analytical mind.

This might sound terribly outlandish, that the conscious mind can take control of these functions, but Hubbard assures us,

This is a matter of laboratory proof, very easy to do.

It sounds as if Hubbard is implying that laboratory experiments are always simple. Ridiculous.

Hubbard also claims muscles can be controlled by the analytical mind. He insists this is true for ALL muscles including the heart and sphincters on all organs. Why would any healthy individual even want that control?

Hubbard closes be talking about how the analytical mind cannot be the cause of psychological errors since it works perfectly for everyone, all the time. He asks, "Where is the error?" I would refer him, and you, to pages 1-614 of his book.

I hope you all enjoy this shorter post.

Words Defined: prefrontal lobes, unconsciousness, concourse

Next: Chapter 2: The Reactive Mind

Note: All quotes are from
Hubbard, L. Ron. Dianetics. Los Angeles, CA: Bridge Publications, Inc, 1986, unless noted otherwise.