How to Access and Transform the Unconscious for Cultural Development

• Published in: Culture and Computing. Design Thinking and Cultural Computing pp. 274 - 294
• Main Author: Rauterberg, Matthias
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing
• Series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science
• Subjects: Archetype; Bio-signals; Brain/body computer interface; Collective unconsciousness; Consciousness; Culture; Interface technology
• ISBN: 9783030774301; 3030774309
• ISSN: 0302-9743; 1611-3349
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77431-8_18

For the future development of cultural technology, access to the cultural foundations of these culture carriers is necessary. One established theory of this cultural foundation is the collective unconsciousness with archetypes as building blocks. A methodological challenge is adequate access to these unconscious layers of the human mind. Recent research in neuroscience contributes in ways to determine the minimally conscious state. Combining these neuroscience results with the upcoming development of brain/body-computer interfaces enables us to envision new ways to establish interactions among culture carriers like humans and their cultural determinations. First, we present an overview of the known ways to get access to conscious layers, and then we discuss the potential of upcoming approaches. New technology enables us to develop new types of interfaces which are directly connected to brain/body processes. Next to direct brain connections, we introduce and discuss the possibilities of tapping into other physiological processes, especially processes of the autonomous nervous system. Finally, we are presenting and discussing the theoretical implications of the architecture of the human mind and the interfaces between all components of the conscious and unconscious parts. Potential access to the five unconscious layers of the human mind can enable new types of cultural developments.