The Personality Machine

[@MattiasPilhede]

Thank you everyone for 600k subscribers! Every now and then I like to fantasize about promoting friends and lesser channels so I would like to take this as an opportunity to talk about my favorite youtube channels. I have no interest in LEGO, so when I say I love this channel about reviewing lego sets, you should consider this a glowing, golden endorsement. Lego reviews might sound like a too simple premise, but it has constant comedic twists and turns that would keep anyone interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rEc3eFo9OHe5Y My friend Adam made a retrospective of the entire Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and what sets this apart from every other video like this is that it's entirely through his lens of how he experienced the franchise. It makes it extremely unique and interesting as opposed to how everyone else would do it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJzOaHqNq51-p6s "Hi this is Andreas" talks a lot about topics I'm interested in, and has a similar sense of humor to me. If you like my channel you'll probably feel at home here. His video on Dungeons & Dragons is a great introduction to roleplaying and his channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2akZouYfNqWppI

[@erikviking-k3y]

Congrats, you deserve it!

[@ultraxan7210]

We love this guy, all of your content is amazing

[@sethmorgan4031]

You need to take this video to a director or studio and get a movie deal

[@chrystales6169]

I noticed that the procedure is expensive because it gives a sense of credibility. If it were cheap, then it wouldn't be as believable.

[@secretspy44]

And it places value on the desired change. How much is this change worth to me? How much am I willing to work to earn this change? If its precious, what am I going to do to defend it into the future.

[@ethanton7074]

Same thing as pricing a product higher than the same product. The brain has to make a difference between the products, so it uses the cost as a meter for taste, quality, etc.

[@Uvouvo05]

feels like designers adding weights to their products, not because the item is more useful/ enjoyable because it’s heavier but because that gives the sense that it is better made, even if all other materials are the same

[@da_copreee9929]

​@@secretspy44pretty sure thats just a different way to word it. It inspires trust, even though it doesn't have that deeper inner workings to justify

[@seshedatc1264]

@@da_copreee9929 What about meditation and some practices that can actually change one effectively? That would prove this to be false.

[@nikoforsyth514]

I will tell others the story of how I stumbled across this video when they ask why I suddenly changed my personality.

[@sensi_k1654]

This concept amazed me and terrified me at the same time. When Peter changed his whole personality and went home the first time - it was scary. Even I felt it. The thought that you're no longer yourself when you become more honest and build a calming thought pattern and simply change for the better... I haven't even realised that people's perception might be such a big component to why it's so hard to change, but it kinda makes sense. Thank you, Mattias

[@ScarletSky03]

As someone who studies psychology as my career path, your reality IS your perceptions. Take schizophrenics for example. They cannot tell the difference between their delusions and reality; to them they are the same thing.

[@enderger5308]

@@ScarletSky03yeah (I’m not a psychologist but a patient for an adjacent disorder to schizophrenia), and even if things look off you still just believe it’s real. Hell, due to the craziness that is today’s reality the safeguards I use in a futile attempt to catch myself before I spiral got a false positive (I truly believed I had just lost it and that all this craziness was just in my head, I still will never truly know it isn’t).

[@multidebbie1]

Reading this comment made me realize that these types of videos would actually be interesting if I had empathy. Ima stop watching.

[@chrishansen6620]

bro literally me after i did 5g of sbrooms

[@absolutezippo7542]

It is.

[@HOTDOGDAY89]

Now this is what a proper science fiction story looks like.

[@DucksAndCatnip]

philosphy sci fi is amazing. this is why i love ender's game

[@plzletmebefrank]

This makes sense to me. I've known several recovering addicts and they always have a story, a moment, or a reason. When they realized how much they were hurting their kids, when they found out they were going to be a parent, when they hit rock bottom... They always had something to hold onto to justify and cement why they changed. I haven't heard of any specific psychotherapies that involve this idea though. Seems like I would have.

[@Vyloka]

Im writing a book on why beliefs are fundamentally one of the strongest super stimuli to introduce to the brain. Theres tons of research on placebo but things like cults and religion and addiction recovery miracles are super connected I believe. Beliefs are part of why people say mind over matter sometimes

[@plzletmebefrank]

@@o340 I meant therapy aimed at the client forming a story. A story where they change and a moment where they realized they needed to. And/or finding a moment to make into a reason to change. Basically having a focal point to kickstart change is actually a pretty good idea and makes a lot of sense. And that could be used in a therapeutic treatment. And there are definitely some ideas floating about (I heard more than a few about how to open up and talk about your story and then go and change it in college) but... There's no legitimate therapies that have been properly tested that I've heard of. Only either one-offs or vague ideas.

[@ZlodeyZloy-n1u]

no, there's a thing called "narrative psychology" that uses stories

[@cubonefan3]

I’m surprised the video didn’t talk more about the physical pain of quitting cigarettes (not just the mental pain). That’s a huge reason why people don’t quit. The reward centers of our brain triggering “wires” us to partake in activities that feel good but aren’t good for us. The mental / physical pain of quitting doesn’t just go away because we change the narrative.

[@plzletmebefrank]

@@cubonefan3 Absolutely. Not to mention it isn't just in the brain. There is also a dependence component in the respiratory system.

[@Yue019]

The writing is very charming. It ran on for 18 minutes, and I could still sit through the entire thing without getting bored

[@Raphael0654]

I was thinking that, too.

[@jammjumble9928]

Woah, 18 minutes.. I didn’t even notice

[@georgeuferov1497]

And the most brilliant thing about it is how every character mostly just talks in a monotone voice

[@lilywhitetouhou]

True

[@imranmeco3393]

Y'all's attention spans fucked if 18 mins of listening to something remotely interesting is much

[@halfenlightened]

This is genius, I love how ambiguous the fact that he was mistaken for someone else leaves the whole story too haha I know this was a big project, but I hope it was very worth it for you too. Thanks Mattias

[@Treon]

@halfenlightened I think its a reference to how you're supposed to treat someone dealing with memory loss. the doctor knew he was right but to prevent any aggression he went with the confusion.

[@Cherr-ies-]

Yo I'm so sorry but can you explain I didn't get it 😭😭

[@Treon]

@@Cherr-ies- me or the OP?

[@Cherr-ies-]

​@@Treonhonestly whoever feels like explaining it 😂. Like I know there's a deeper message in the story I'd really love to actually know what it is

[@jasonmorley9217]

@@Cherr-ies- The story mostly explains itself explicitly; various studies support the idea that "personality traits" are less a matter of what we "are", and more a matter of the various mechanisms and choices (or patterns thereof) that have been built up through our lives and experiences. Anyone willing to change doesn't need to go through any machine- or even any specific process- in order to do so, but instead are held back from that change by the fact that what they would "become" is not who those around them expect them to be; it would not be the persona, mask, "face"- however you want to put it- that they had built up and developed over years... but that also includes themselves. If you want to make a change in yourself regarding your kindness, look at how you interact with people and specifically take a moment to choose whether or not this is the behaviour you want to engage in, be it a lack or an overabundance of kindness. Similarly with smoking; while nicotine is indeed addictive, and in the story we see that *it is still his stress response* "post-machine", actually taking the moment to feel the sensations that smoking provide without the positive social feedback that get people into smoking in the first place was enough for this guy to quit. TL,DR- All the aspects that he "acquired" were just the end result of him believing he had those aspects, and his interpretations of what that meant... and you can do the same with your own life, if you really wanted.

[@Yotaka_11]

I have realized that this video itself is the personality machine. Because now on if I make crazy changes suddenly, I can just show people this video and say it inspired me

[@LamboShep]

Great video! I found the part about personality being a self-defense mechanism to be really thought-provoking, and it got me thinking that traits that are considered to be good to have (calmness, honesty, etc.) are so hard to get because it requires you to dismantle the fortress that you have built up around yourself and really rethink the fundamentals of who you really are. And even though changing yourself would be for the better, you have been the same way for so long that getting rid of your traits feels like you are getting rid of yourself. (i commented this before but then i deleted it on accident)

[@MattiasPilhede]

(I thought this comment looked familiar)

[@cubonefan3]

@@MattiasPilhede I’m surprised the video didn’t talk more about the physical pain of quitting cigarettes / drugs (not just the mental pain). That’s a huge reason why people don’t quit. The reward centers of our brain triggering “wires” us to partake in activities that feel good but aren’t good for us. The mental / physical pain of quitting doesn’t just go away even if we change the narrative. When the MC takes a puff of the cigarette after the first procedure, he probably would have felt great relief at the nicotine hit, not disgust. Withdrawals are hell, and smoking creates a temporary bandaid to offset the pain. You wrote this story as if you had an experience of quitting cigarettes. Is this story similar to how you experienced quitting? Where does withdrawal sickness fit into this story?

[@solalabell9674]

In the wizard of oz the scarecrow wants a brain, the tin man wants a heart, and the lion wants courage. Each are given trinkets like a liquid to drink or pins in the scarecrow’s head that give them what they want. When they meet with the wizard later he reveals they were lied, but lies which removed the defense mechanisms holding each back.

[@GabrielBorica]

"the overcaring, putting others before themselves afraid that no one else might do the same for them." It hit me so deep i had to pause the video and take a few breaths omg

[@ocelot9496]

This reminds me of something a psychology lecturer impressed upon me during a lecture about risk factors for mental illnesses, criminal behaviour, etc. I found it immensely comforting: "Anybody can have a turning point."

[@MysticGohanVegeta]

This video is activating calming thought patterns in me

[@SIK_Mephisto]

Dissociative Identity Disorder is the fragmentation of ones sense of self into distinct personalities as a result of traumatic developmental events. Describing a personality as a "defense mechanism" feels very real in this context, and is a great way to explain it. All parts are still you, but woven into deep wells of uniqueness that don't mesh with the others. Things can be both true and not true for you. You can both like and utterly despise something. The personalities are both a defense from the external and internal, as a way to navigate 2 very complex and abrasive worlds that one distinct fragment alone isn't made to deal with. All we are is a mind fundamentally. It's how we've figured out to duck and weave to our own unique crucibles that make us stand out.

[@HassanIQ777]

Holy shit that part describes me, I might be 3 personalities not 2

[@scoob1670]

Thanks for writing this

[@aobaichiko122]

This makes a lot of sense I believe it

[@Night_Forces]

The video still made more sense to me. You made it abit complex, i thinkk

[@lunyxappocalypse7071]

Depends on what type of DID people have. For many, regardless of physical dissociation, in all practical sense you should treat them as a multitude, as they have different interests and relationships. Really, though, like anyone else you should just ask how they would like to be treated.

[@tegxi]

I'm amazed every time how you create stories so startlingly unique and meaningful

[@lonestarr1490]

Were I asked to describe his stories with a single word, I'd choose this: profound.

[@zekejanczewski7275]

Id respectfully disagree. The machine is a metaphor for therapy. All therapy is is a special place to reflect and change. It's not a magical pathway to stop smoking. Whether it is a scam or not is an open question. The doctor says "This is real science". He's being literal. Therapists are just paid friends wherein they talk to you in the context of "Fixing" you, which is what actually makes it change. Whether you consider that a magical personality changing prossess is up to you. But what it does to people is undeniable.

[@YukkiofBlades]

​@@zekejanczewski7275 What does anything that you said have to do with the fact that this videos are unique and meaningful?

[@Marqan]

What's the meaning of this video?

[@fishrealm]

@@Marqan I think it's about how some people have bad traits that they want to be rid of but are afraid to change for fear of how others might perceive them after the change. However, there are events in one's life that one can use as an excuse to change so as to lessen the impact of such a drastic change in other's eyes. I think that, in the story, Magnus created this "Personality Machine" as a way to give people this excuse.

[@shadou1234567]

sometimes i want to change some dumb stuff i do, but being perceived by my family is bad enought, comenting "oh, you are doing x and y now?" with a judging face is the fear i have making me unable to. i think thats why i like stories where someone stops being perceived

[@saltysam_]

ohh thats awesome.. the fear of being perceived by other’s when you change, so you create a story that makes your change not reflect badly on you! LOVE IT!!

[@whitegemgames]

I think I needed to see this. There have been many times where I had the irrational fear of doing something because it would be “out of character” for me. I know it’s dumb but there’s something comforting about seemingly knowing who you are I guess and deviating too much can be scary, especially the idea of someone calling it out the change even if not intended negatively.

[@whitegemgames]

Update: Wasn’t planning another comment but it’s been a bit over a week now and I find I keep thinking back on this video in those moments, and so far I’ve been able to take it to heart and keep pushing myself outside my comfort zone a bit. Shockingly, the world hasn’t ended by me making different types of choices and it has in fact been quite nice. So thanks for this, not sure if this will be a long term change but if nothing else this video has had at least some positive impact on my life so far.

[@Nelo390]

@@whitegemgames Good work dude.

[@parisouu]

@@whitegemgames Good job!

[@KDeds21]

This is actually profound. We don't change because we feel like we wouldn't be able to explain it to the people we know. We know they wouldn't believe it. So we don't believe it. But if you have a story of how you changed, a miraculous moment of epiphany. Then it makes sense. They can rationalize why we're able to be different now. We can rationalize why we're able to be different now.

[@educated_guesst]

To be "unapologetically yourself" gets a whole other meaning in this video

[@Fincaurum]

I'm a psychology student and i can say that this video was better then half of my courses. In many many disorders the thing that makes it impossible to just get better is the tought of other people's expectations

[@potatosan1120]

You are one of the greatest writters of our time. I mean it. Some write books, some make moves, you do this. Please, keep on doing it.

[@elcomsgikz]

I never thought of changing my personality until the situation forced me to and so gradually that I didn’t realize in the process. I went from being a friendly introvert to almost feeling like an outcast in the uncomfortable situation where there was constant pressure to socialize. Eventually, I learnt to socialize and felt like an extrovert. It wasn’t until I met someone who reminded me of my past self that healed all these uncomfortable anxiety and pressure and allowed me to proudly be my logical introvert self again. What I’ve learnt (communication and small talk) I didn’t throw but I use it only when I want to, not when I’m pressured to. I can’t say I don’t regret it bc it was an unnecessarily long process.

[@lunyxappocalypse7071]

You probably have a natural mixture of both traits, in that case.

[@YourWaywardDestiny]

@@lunyxappocalypse7071 Introverts are still social creatures, their social threshold is just lower. Introverts being pressured and hassled into extending their social availability, and then learning skills to cope with that doesn't make them an extrovert. It makes them miserable and exhausted and riddled with anxiety. Introverts are often expected to learn to cope for the comfort of a select few particularly selfish extraverts, far too often.

[@myst717]

I had an epiphany myself about "stories". There was something that I never thought could change about myself, but then, one idea, one story, just one different viewpoint, changed it randomly. Maybe it was not for the best. But I never thought a trait so stubborn could be changed so easily. The power beliefs have over ourselves is so underrated.

[@No-fh5lz]

I know right? Just one little single idea can bring about such a profound change in you. One story gave that to me, and suddenly it seemed like the entire world gained color.

[@youssefbencheikh8637]

When you said this was the year where you got cool... you really weren't lying. Excellent video!

[@pieceofmind1900]

This actually gives me words for why I end up blowing up friendships when I want to change a part of myself. I start hating myself every couple years, and want to be a different person, and it's easier to leave everyone I knew behind than try to be a new person with them...

[@vgtgoat]

damn, I've done that

[@earlofnacho]

I feel like I practically had this procedure done when I started taking antidepressants about 20 years ago. Was super freaked out by the changes in my personality.. didn’t know who I was anymore. Been a long time since I accepted the fact that “I” is nothing more than an idea or a construct. Life is so much easier with that knowledge. All things are temporary. Change is the nature of whatever this crazy thing we call the universe is. Certainly the nature of life. And accepting this opens the door to a new perception, I think. I have been many different “people” in my 36 years and I will (hopefully) be many more.

[@Lemon3ea]

I don't think I am known for a "distinct" personality or do I want to change mine, since I have been away from my home place for some time and I haven't really connected with anyone deeply yet. But the story still struck me quite hard, especially the core idea of the non-physical property of the procedure, the need of a story for change. It hit me the moment Magnus Nelson told Peter "This has been the undoing of your procedure." (16:34) I was still thinking what Magnus really meant, and I only comprehended being told the truth behind the mechanism was the undoing of the procedure; the story provided with the procedure is why no one else could replicate the personality procedure. The timing things clicked for me is amazing. I am always impressed by your ability to convey these ideas through the straightforward yet subtle stories! And that ending is just *chef kiss*

[@petern2244]

Well that was a loop, my name is Peter

[@MattiasPilhede]

Hello Peter.

[@petern2244]

@@MattiasPilhede Hi Mattias, love your vids! They are always thought provoking 😊

[@bebopbang7268]

well, how do you want to proceed?

[@thecrazyballoon]

Petah, the horse is here

[@mistuh69420]

EY PEETUR

[@coffeecream3188]

This video reminded me of myself a lot. When I was younger, I was an obnoxious little piece of crap, extremely annoying to the point if future me had a gun with 2 bullets and past me and Hitler were strapped to a chair, I would shoot past me twice. Then, one day, I stumbled across a video, a story about a guy who could see a counter above everyone's head, a counter of the time of their death. After reading this story I said to myself that I would never, ever be an asshole ever again and I would strive to be the best person I could be. Problem was, I couldn't do that. That seemed to weird. I wanted to do that, but everyone around me would be weirded out. Then, a miracle happened, Covid-19. It gave me an excuse to say, "Well, so many people died and stuff, so I'll be the best person I could be." Went back to school, and well, straight A's. I shut up, I did my work, I was extremely quiet. No one questioned it. Another thing would probably be me and a former friend group. I'd been wanting to leave for a long time, but I didn't know how. In Discord, there was a text channel "count to 1000" and one quiet night, when for a long time, no one had even counted on that, they all just decided to count to 1000 for some reason. Well, I was watching a movie and they had hit 1000 by the time I finished, like way before I finished. I then decided, well, I thought, "Well, there's my excuse!" Then I left and said, "I'm out. Once you guys hit 1000, I was going to leave." I never looked back. So yeah, amazing video. Truly amazing. What inspired you to create this?

[@MattiasPilhede]

I was inspired by a Japanese film I saw on a flight home from Japan called "Hit me anyone one more time!" about the prime minister of Japan losing his memory. However I didn't have a chance to see the ending of the film since we were landing, and it wasn't available anywhere after, so I kept thinking about the film and what ending it could have. Then a year later I finally got to see it, and I was really disappointed, but I had all these ideas of my own left.

[@nairocamilo]

​@@MattiasPilhedeDisappointment, creativity's own breeding ground!

[@animationmann]

Thats interesting coffeecream i lets me think about myself thank you.

[@FireyDeath4]

@@nairocamilo Heh, it's funny you say that! I was also recently kind of disappointed, which prompted me to come up with ideas for a remake of something. (That thing was Animation VS Geometry)

[@usethisnickname9930]

About a year ago I went to study in different city. I was deppressed, angry and miserable basically all the time before and I didn't really care about the course I picked I just needed to stop living with my parents or I would go insane. A year later basically everything about me has changed for the better. One time I told a coworker that I really don't feel like an adult but more like a 16 year old, well these I feel 25. I used to have a lot of negative thoughts reminding me about the times I was cringe or stupid (like really a lot, once a day was a good score) but now they come like once a week or 2 and I just think "man, it's been 8 years, I'm to old for this shit". I used to always think about how to get along with my parents but now I realised that we will simply never truly understand each other so why bother and worry about it. It sounds sad but it's basically the best outcome there could be. I used to be juvenile with my friends and always worry about whether they like me or not so I flooded them with my attention but then I realised that I cared much more than they did so I just, stopped. Ironically now they value my attention much more but I realised I kinda don't like them so it doesn't really matter. In a way I truly learned how to stop caring and love....something I guess, haven't figured that part out yet. I'm still deppressed but much calmer, quieter and happy?. If this comment proves anything it's that men will change their whole personality and write a youtube comment about it intead of going to therapy.

[@IamTealeaf]

How did you actually make that change? Struggling with doing something similar myself

[@ryanspence5831]

bro go to therapy in addition i did 2 sessions and it helped

[@AbelLawliet]

I find that loss is a prime motivator for change in my life. When everything stays the same there isn’t a lot of pressure to reflect on yourself and change. But when you fail, you make a big mistake, or you give something everything you have and it’s still not enough. Those are the moments that force you to confront your problems and shortcomings, and do everything you can to not let it happen again. I think the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth is a very endearing phenomena. Because even if you feel broken, you can still change everything for the better.

[@gaoda1581]

That's how it was with my addiction. I hit rock bottom in late 2019, returned to my home country, and spent the next year during the pandemic isolated but mostly free from temptation (limited travel/access). All the time alone made me confront the problem and realize how much I was harming myself.

[@AbelLawliet]

I’m very happy for you and I’m glad you’re doing better. Many of my vices just ended up taking so much of my time and focus from me, to the point where I don’t even enjoy doing them but it’s become a habit and feels compulsive. I think a lot of people use unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with their stresses, but a lot of the time it ends up just being a distraction and the underlying issues that caused the problems go unaddressed. Learning some grounding techniques like trying to use all of my senses to observe my surroundings helped me a lot. Then when I’m present and in the moment I can fully feel and analyze the unhealthy vice/behavior I’m doing, and I realize I don’t enjoy it and it loses its appeal.

[@areit99]

I remember listening to a podcast episode (I think it was NPR's "Hidden Brain") about New Year's Resolutions and the psychological effect of a "fresh start". Moving houses, cutting one's hair, or a calendar changing over: all are "stories", motivations to drastically change one's own behavior, start new habits, and so on. (Whether the new habits stick is another story.) This video reminded me of that episode.

[@imabird1566]

This explains why every Hero’s Journey has to have a death of a loved one to kickstart the rest of the story. The moment a tragic event happens is when they no longer feel the pressure of what others would think, they now have an excuse to change.

[@tbotalpha8133]

...What? The inciting incident of a story can be literally anything. You don't need a tragic event to push a person to start acting. Literally any goal will do.

[@nothingthere3959]

No, that's not the reason. I see you never lost anyone dear to you, so you don't get it... Loss of the loved one is a huge shock and huge change in the person's life. It's quite literally the event that changes one's reality - from reality where you had such and such person in your life (which means not only their opinions, but also the support they had been providing, their love, maybe they had your back or defended you from something in life, their roles in your life, them being part of things, traditions and habits, etc) into reality where you no longer have them around, only a huge hole shaped as them, that is left empty after they gone, pain and loneliness. It takes several years just to sort of adapt to such literally changed life, and it's especially hard to get used to if such a drastic change happened all of a sudden and/or tragically. If our personality is set to defend us from reality around (not just opinions) it might change in order to defend ourselves from the new and unwanted reality we are left to be in after someone dear dies. And there no need for excuses. If the person that died was dear to the person who lost them, the grieving person didn't wanted to lose them and didn't wanted their reality to change, didn't wanted to change their personality. It just happens, on its own, like some natural disaster, usually without too much of conscious control over it.

[@clutterArranger]

I respect and feel your grievences after reading all you wrote. But the event can be anything. It just happens sometimes. I believe that what makes the personality machine in the story and "The Personality Machine" we are commenting under work.

[@Ptichka272]

Mattias just does not miss. Another captivating tale of introspection that is guaranteed to change you, even in the smallest ways. Thank you for the content that you create for us!

[@frempy4426]

The description of horror that people have with your seemingly sudden changes... It applies very keenly onto my experience as a transgender person. My parents thought I had changed overnight. They were disgusted and grieved the person they thought I was and refused to accept me as I am. It's a horrible feeling to realise people are attached to a version of you that isn't what you want to be seen as, just as might have been feared. But expressing an inner truth is better than acceptance sometimes.

[@FireyDeath4]

Yeah... Disconnection from external reality does make you have to consider everything in terms of mental symbols and idealisations like that. Do you think it would be generally a good idea to come out about these sorts of things, as well as the thoughts leading up to them, earlier than later?

[@grushe4ka]

All people deserve to be around loved ones who accept them for who they really are. And I hope you will have someone like that around you (⁠*⁠˘⁠︶⁠˘⁠*⁠)⁠.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡

[@frempy4426]

@@grushe4ka I do have such people thanks!

[@este_marco]

very interesting pov

[@luisdejesus3184]

Hello, it has been almost a month since I have watched this video, and the phrase "calming thought patterns" pops up in my head whenever I feel the urge to say something to break what I may feel is an awkward silence. I know that there is a message (or even multiple) here about how change, even if positive, can lead to scary and unfamiliar effects, but that was not what I took from this video. All I have was that same phrase that led me to be content whenever there was dead air. It has helped me to feel secure with the relationships I have with those around me and most especially, myself. For this reason, I am commenting on this video to say my thanks for this snippet of animation and storytelling. I feel the urge to say more, but the phrase repeats again in my head. Take care.

[@reccaman]

Trauma changes people. We can remember that person before it happened, but remember is all we can do.

[@tikimillie]

The child i was before my trauma seems foreign to me.

[@E4439Qv5]

​@@tikimillieooh. Foreign how~?

[@lindabork6542]

@@E4439Qv5 they used to be spanish, now they are swedish.

[@Nepetita69696]

Yeah...

[@sterlingbirks9101]

This was fantastic, probably one of my favourites of what you've made, you are such an awesome artist and inspiration!

[@FinnK-jh9zw]

Theory, the machine only implants a story that would lead to those traits in a believable way, as in only the ending part was outside the machine.

[@lindabork6542]

the machine *is* the story. the one that you can tell to other people if they ask why you changed. "hey, joe, you've been acting a little different recently. are you okay?" "yeah steve, you heard about that machine that changes your personality? i went through that" "oh woah, i honestly didn't believe that thing would even work but gee golly gosh i guess i was wrong! it's worked wonders huh, joe." "yeah, it sure has steve."

[@talkingtakotaco8611]

I think that was the plot of a Futurama episode, where bender must get a software update to not hate a newer model of robot.

[@vernaute2803]

This is a nice way of putting a lot of ideas I've personally had about the inability to force the context of a pivotal moment in interpersonal affairs. Because people are people and you can only do so much as another equal of swaying someone without outside intervention, which can itself be mediated and often is a falsity. Like getting a friend to give someone news. Why does the context change? People change for apparently no reason. You can be endlessly gaslit by someone, by people, you can live in a bubble just because of the limited scope in which we perceive the context of our world, and the necessitation of security. I'm not trying to speak on conspiracy theory, but, the fact that the system that facilitates the self is prone to feedback loops.

[@janfungusamon4926]

The begginging of this video is a great allegory for taking SSRIs. Cloudy head and new "better" personality.

[@ericraululyeetusdelyeetus5028]

Yaayyyyyy!!!!! The irreversible breakdown of the self and re-evaluation of what a personality consists of, and it's value!!!!!!!

[@ecco2862]

I like how you gave us a very human answer to such a complex an existential idea. pretty cool honestly.

[@richtigmann1]

I love this so much, it's such a creative idea for a story but at the same time you can really relate and understand it. The reveal that the actual service wasn't the machine but the excuse to be different, damn that hit hard. The reason why we stay the same is because the people around us EXPECT us to be a certain way. And in the end that's what holds us back from changing.

[@animationmann]

The calming thoughts Patterns are a double sided sword. Being calm in moments of terror lets you think about "Am i Human ?" why am i so calm when everybody else is not. This Video has me thinking and gonna do for some Time. Thank you for this Video Mattias.

[@Narko_Marko]

That is how i feel at times. My emotions rarely fluctuate in real life, I guess because there isn't much to be stressed or angry about, I'm always in a good mood. Abd then sometimes when a situation arises where others are distressed and I am calm like always I think "am I human?"

[@lawsome2068]

This reminds me of my maternal grandmother's funeral, I loved her dearly she was one of my favorite people and we were close but as she got sicker I knew it would be inevitable that she would die & she did so at her funeral I was calm and content because I know she wasn't suffering anymore but the majority of everyone else were hysterical and volatile (she was very well loved and touched many lives so they were expressing this outwardly, tearfully and expressively) I was just calm and at one point I did pause to wonder whether I was normal and if I was in shock and the true outward expressive mourning would come; it never did to date and I do still miss and remember her from time to time.

[@TB26]

I get the feeling that Magnus Nelson was so self-conscious because no one believed he could be a scientist, so him getting that blow to the head was the perfect excuse. Afterwards, Magnus Nelson used the machine on himself to change his personality making the story more convincing. The machine of change works, it's just that having a story makes it easier to cope.

[@citricdemon]

You got the message of the story! Good job!

[@Treon]

YOU DO IT PERFECTLY EVERY TIME

[@Dyanafog]

Holy shit dude... This is a mind fuck Dude you could make an actual movie, this is amazing storytelling You have so many opportunities with this level of craftsmanship

[@nameless_outlander]

I like how the titular machine is barely there, but its appearances nicely tie up the beginning and end of a thought-provoking conversation.

[@wahwahqueenmew8953]

This was beautifully crafted. Amazing. 🎉

[@neofriberg5998]

There's a select few youtubers that can make every video an excitement to see posted, youtubers that can make every new video the top of my day even, and well this is probably my favourite of them.

[@mayvid4269]

its a lot to take in , the video just gave me a cathartic epiphany , imma reflect on it

[@Red1Ahmed]

This is absolutely brilliant. Alot of my recent thoughts on my own psychology and spiritual benefits of mindfulness, sincere honesty, and the battle against insecurity (aka defense mechanism; even the insecurity of changing into a better person) has been beautifully laid out in this piece of fiction. Thank you, I really enjoyed it and helped me further substantiate my understanding.

[@darcash1738]

Our personality may be just the brain’s attempt to understand the world and ourselves in relation to it based on past experience. I never took an “authentic self” too seriously. We all strive to live better lives, make our future selves proud of the steps we took. To say “I am an introvert”, for instance, is merely recognizing that for the you back then, it seemed most ideal to be an introvert. In the end, it’s about being the most advantageous, fulfilled form of the self for the present, while still maintaining that trajectory for the future. I thought the story and concept was pretty interesting, especially since I don’t know if I would accept to change myself for improvement like that-it might be cheating myself of making the change for myself. Do you remember what inspired you with this idea?

[@LevityLeviathan]

i just spent the past 2 hours discussing this video with a friend of mine.

[@zekejanczewski7275]

The machine is a metaphor for therapy. A therapist plays the role where they are your friend, and they are put in the context where they talk about "Fixing" you. And that's why they work. They provide the moment, that context to change Whether or not its a scam is sort of left as an open question. But the fact of the matter is it is its the best way to help people through science.

[@finchhawthorne1302]

They’re fixing something that isn’t broken, forcing a person to become what they want, what the world wants, erasing who that person is and replacing them with someone that is more accepted. All the better if the mutilation is invisible even to the one experiencing it. This is a horrific thing to go through. And nightmarish to awaken from.

[@hoshii.8533]

Damn that makes sense.

[@sleepykitten2168]

I'd say the best video I've seen so far this year. Very well done.

[@NeroDefogger]

with the Layton like music and the Layton like plot I felt immersed in a Layton like story once again, and I really REALLY thank you for that.

[@person749]

Very cool story. I'm seeing a bit of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as an influence.

[@MattiasPilhede]

I've actually never seen that film but a lot of people bring it up so maybe I should finally watch it

[@E4439Qv5]

​@@MattiasPilhede^that's what they all say...

[@_WhiteMage]

The late philosopher Daniel Dennett came up with a thought experiment that was basically this same premise. After a brain surgery, the patient is jokingly informed they have no free will. Taking it seriously, they then go on to behave irresponsibly, believing they are no longer able to carry any blame for their actions. The "personality machine" doesn't really do anything, just like the surgery didn't. They're merely the power of suggestion.

[@internetphia]

This is so weird. This is like, exactly what I talk about often. Thanks for pinpointing the _reason_ why despite knowing how to, I don't change.

[@internetphia]

The story. The reason. Every time I want to change, I must distance myself from others so I can give them a reason "why" I changed. So silly, so unnecessary.

[@cinnis5670]

This video got me to quit smoking weed. Sort of. I was listening to it while I was on a walk around a local lake. I had my vape on me and after I took one last hit I just so happened to drop it. It fell into a patch of mud by the lake. I didn't want to put that thing near my lips again, so I left it there. Haven't smoked in a month. Bit of a boring story I guess, but it's my story. I'm happy with how it's going.

[@ice_sea5527]

Shame being among the things keeping people from changing their personality is something that's always seemingly slipped my mind on the topic. Most likely because i am the exact opposite of this situation. The amount of shame i had in my current personality didn't leave me worrying about what others thought. I dropped my superiority complex, i calmed down and greatly reduced the amount i get upset at things, i dropped my apathy and embraced empathy. I shifted my perspective on lots of things and broke down what i felt, why i felt it and why i reacted the way i did unlike before where i just impulsively let whatever emotions guide me without questioning it. I reflect on myself alot and work to iron out whatever i notice is an issue and i've had my ideas about why not everyone is able, or willing, to do to this. Though this has added another perspective to the whole thing. Always very thought inducing videos. Appreciate it.

[@IamTealeaf]

I'm one of those people who's "not able" no matter how much I want too, how did you iron it out? Is there anything that helps with insecurities?

[@dr.unventor]

I love these videos you make so much. The in depth conversations you showcase feel so realistic and logical

[@Josukegaming]

Wow this is absolutely one of the greatest and impactful works of art I've ever seen. You truly are incredible.

[@fliche6435]

Bruh, I am making a video game or story to change myself. The main protagonist of my story if a sort of etheral slime, a reflection of being able to change yourself, to take another shape. A lot of conclusion that I found appeared in this video ^^' I like it

[@microman502]

wow, i'm so glad i keep up with your work. The pacing, and the way you use the ambient sounds and visuals to kind of build up this tension, and that disquieting feeling it gives, it's amazing.

[@Romanticoutlaw]

this gets to the heart of what I mean when I say that people _can_ change, but no one does, and almost no one will. Great stuff

[@notlunalust]

Mattias never disappoints, I swear! This has got to be one of the more impactful stories for me that he's written, because being trans means dealing with other people's perceptions. It's not as simple as having a story to explain it all, but I've needed to give context to people for my decision, and it feels pretty similar to this narrative. Amazing work :3c

[@puffyhowler615]

Oh dang you're so right. I don't think I really noticed because I was introspecting on other aspects of my personality during most of the video but this really does have such trans vibes doesn't it? The concept of change, the desire to have an outside authority declare something, not necessarily/not only to assure yourself, but also to assure those around you that this isn't something to be scared of. The story kinda reminds of what I've heard from other trans people, who decided to transition and tell their conspiracy theorist families that this just happened after they took the Covid vaccine. It's not true, but it's a story to reassure them, or at least redirect where their ire goes.

[@_Iscream]

It’s not just perception, though. You need to convince people that physical reality is wrong, and that how you feel is more important. It’s one thing to change your perception, but asking people to deny what they see is probably asking for too much.

[@notlunalust]

@@puffyhowler615 I can understand needing some sort of explanation, even if it's not a great one ghdsgkljsdhglh

[@notlunalust]

@@_Iscream I don't personally think it's too much. People have the capability to respect others and their choices, even if they don't fully understand them. Just because someone grew up in an era where people who looked a certain way were just decided to be male or female doesn't mean they can't adjust to how people view gender now. That would be similar to saying someone who grew up with racism shouldn't be expected to stop being racist because it's not socially acceptable.

[@_Iscream]

@@notlunalust It’s not just about ‘looks’. It’s about actual physical and neurological differences. (And before you accuse me of being sexist concerning the latter, I have a neurological disorder that affects males and females differently, regardless of what gender they say they are.) And just because someone doesn’t respect your choices, doesn’t mean they dislike or hate you.

[@sleepysteev2735]

I would love to hear this story broadcast on public radio. My local NPR station often showcases audio short stories, though none of them (as far as I've heard) have focused on speculative fiction.

[@derrickvo9292]

This story is amazing with the layers of it. My interpretation is that the mistake was completely on purpose. He knew that our main character couldn’t afford the procedure, and he wanted him to turn into a better person. So, as an act of kindness, he wanted to cover the procedure for free and pretended there was a mix-up. I also wanted to mention, I loved how terrifying the first half of the video felt. How fragile our sense of self is.

[@marcusorta714]

Overwhelmingly thought-provoking. That’s all I have to say.

[@starry-p]

The fact that this could possibly be real. Is terrifying. Granted, when people go through traumatic things or hit their head this type of this can happen.

[@Dot-yj9tj]

This story is incredible and has become stuck deep in my soul. There's a vibe to it, like this belongs in an old sci-fi anthology and should be one of the great sci-fi short stories people talk about decades later. It's amazing.

[@shuacraft9193]

This video really helped me a lot, it helped me see how I could change something I didn’t like about myself, thank you for posting this kind of content.

[@thega.merdude]

These drive me crazy man, they’re so much fun to listen to but I feel like I have to chew on it for an eternity. It’s fantastic work as always.

[@paulh2981]

Our personality is woven from the stories we tell ourselves. Change the story, change the personality. But many of those stories are ones we made up to survive trauma, so letting them go is terrifying.

[@captaindragon8179]

I've been here since the Doors short film. It's been incredible to watch your creations become longer and more complex. I absolutely loved this one.

[@daviddaveydave]

My favorite storyteller is BACK BABYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[@frenchfries4955]

This came at such a right time for me. Thank you, I feel inspired. I want to create moving stories like you one day.

[@clutterArranger]

I cannot express what this has done for me. I was smoking while watching and it just worked. It worked, I went out to throw away my smoking related things. Watched it again. Went back and watched it again. Which I will do again and again probably, but I feel like this will work. This works on so many layers that I will continue using it and just tell everyone. You might have added a few years to my life with your work. Thank you ❤

[@flux1940]

My fucking ghawd This is amazing. You have outdone yourself Mattias

[@teawhydee]

one of my favorite videos, it's surprising how much it mirrors the ideas I arrived at myself

[@magpie1466]

another triumph of creativity and thought/feeling-provoking art from Mattias Pilhede! Thanks, really happy with how this affected me!

[@-NoahChannel]

Client: Peter L. Larsson. Vices: Smoking, Inability to calm down, Distrusting, Compulsive Lying, Inability to speak out. Traits: Calming thought patterns, Express vulnerability, Absolute honesty. The client has chosen these traits to treat their uncomfortability with social situations. Symptoms may include slowed speech, Taking more time to think and say things, and saying things unrelated to ongoing conversation. The client is encouraged to embrace these traits, as they will be side effects of the personality. or adjustment to the personality and to take time with each trait although, they may at first seem uncomfortable. The client is distrustful, described "a fourth dimensional being stopping time to read through a paper in a video. a very odd description. (he then goes on a rant, breaking the fourth wall, talking about how the concept of this story is silly, but he hopes you still enjoy it.)

[@-NoahChannel]

Any typos or grammar mistakes you may notice are not my fault. this is what the paper says.

[@oopsalleyes]

This is brilliant and super well made and touches at so many topics I've thought about but never really seen explored much less explored to THIS degree... but also I'm not sure I'm ready for this one. This feels like a lesson I can't accept yet. Like accepting every bad choice you've ever made as your choice without letting the guilt crush you and feeling like that's your fault too. Like all of your limitations and failures were a choice that you made out of fear. Maybe its the fear still talking, but I don't think I can handle this one, maybe one day I will but not today. Wonderful art regardless

[@Veilure]

A couple of notes: 1. I often read this from other commentors but I've never felt it for real: when I got the notification for this video, I gasped OUT LOUD, ran to my couch, and watched the whole thing instantly. Hooray, thanks for uploading! 2. I can't help but see parallels to this in my own life: the times I've changed the most were after revelations or other "system shocks" even though I just as easily could have changed before. I like where my personality is at now, but it does feel like I'm "putting on a face" at times. To be honest, it gives me anxiety -- what's wrong with me if even I don't know what's behind the mask? IS there a mask? But I digress. 3. I think there's an analogy to the transgender experience here, too. Trans people want to transition so they don't, y'know, die: still, studies have shown that the thing holding them back the most is the perception of the people they know. I'm sure they could use a "story"! 4. You're hearting a whole lot of these comments, even the newest ones. Make sure to take breaks -- the comment section can be cruel. Thanks again for this amazing concept. Videos like this remind me why KZbin is still worthwhile. Have an amazing day 😊

[@derflerp538]

Thank you for putting this out. It contains themes that I long to convey to the world, and here you are doing just what I put myself here to do. It's motivating and helps me feel seen.

[@austinobst8989]

Amazing piece. Stories and expectations are definitely one of the things that makes change so difficult. I had to work through some socially engineered inhibitions to find a better version of myself. It's actually kind of shocking how much I've changed looking back.

[@chiaracascione2950]

Men will get multiple degrees and invent a personality-changing machine before going to therapy /j (this is a masterpiece /srs)

[@doggosuki]

your videos really make me think even if i dont understand most of it

[@soul-5]

fastest 18 minutes of my life. felt like i got a thought bomb blasted in my brain. what a concept. as someone who has been trying to change for the better, ive always wondered why i felt like people were weirded out and started talking to me differently all of a sudden, asking if i was okay, etc. this video was kind of a "oh shit" moment for me 😅

[@foogriffy]

we go through life experiencing first and putting a story on top after. yet we feel so tied to this story we tell about ourselves. YOU are the author of your life. tell whatever story you want to tell. the hardest part is letting go of what was already written

[@BlindingShad0w]

I love the story telling style with the animation and voices and everything. Absolute masterpiece! I also like the more comedic ones as well. Keep up the good work :)

[@hetastic_bro]

This was so eye opening and amazingly executed!!

[@Sokaras3]

Nice that we can read the text on his paper (and that it updated in second appearance) Hope see more videos like this and would also enjoy the shorter stuff you mentioned as well. Keep up the good work

[@bielefeldd]

More of my fellow folk need to experience this. Thank you for making it. I knew in the first 10 seconds that i would find the rest of your work interesting and the feeling was correct

[@Colopty]

It's always fascinating when Mattias gets philosophical.

[@franciscosandoval8368]

Yessir, he's alive!