Want to think about...

The Script.

The automatic, constructed sequences we adopt as people. The moments we are on/in it vs the moments we are..."alive? real? not disassociated/on autopilot?"

Some get stuck. Some never get it. Some are lost.

Hmm.

Real vs fake. Script vs adlib. Use in society. Anxiety. Stepping outside the script. Getting stuck. Normie vs AT/ND.

Store. Driving. Social settings.

Intra/extra-vert. Entrainment.

Permission and space. Romance and friendship.

The Script. It's useful. Needful.

Theres so much going on every day that we couldnt possibly be actively doing all the time. We need the efficiency and security of scripting. In almost all things.

The script is not a problem, its our handling of it that can cause problems.

Inside and outside the script are almost like two different worlds that exist in the same areas, overlapping and blending, always.

Sometimes both are happening at the same time.

It can be confusing. But it's always there.

People inhabit the script at different levels of...permanence. In different places the script changes. Different people are on different scripts. Some scripts seen universal but are anything but.

Some people are always on script and some always off.

<insert autistic nightmare>

Being on or off script is something that is hardly noticed by most. Normies especially. They feel like they're 'just doing thier lives.' Shyeah, ok.

A good place to see this is at the store checkout. Big script area. But you can also chat w the cashier.

A blending.

Anxiety w scripting comes when one cannot find the script, or thier place in it. It comes from feeling as though a bad actor, or not knowing what to do next.

This feeling affects *everyone*. Especially normies. Thier minds just burst and they basically blue screen.

Alan Watts says, "If you dont know what you're supposed to do, you simply watch."

How incredible and powerful a statement. But we dont take the time to just watch. We feel pressured and shunted, like cattle.

Give yourself permission to take a moment and watch.

Stepping outside the scripted flow, you will begin to be able to see it. The people bustling, all following the same pattern. Once again, checkout lines are good for this. But it extends to almost all facets of life.

We learn by imitation, from childhood.

Why do we quit?

As you start to notice the script you can let yourself move into it. You can (as AT) let yourself be somewhat comforted by the script and realize you do not have the overwhelming responsibility for every movement and utterance happening around you that you feel every moment. <3

As you learn to move into and out of the script, you can start to discern the difference. The moments of ease and freedom, vs those that are "on rails." The zones where rules are relaxed, like home or with good friends. The public spaces where greetings are automatic and cheap.

From here there are many emergent practices and facets of social interactions that crop up.

Being one that can move in and out. Adlibbing or improv. Flirting.

Being one that allows another to go off script by creating a "space" for them, safe or romantic or fun or intimate.

Inviting others to go off script without derailing or blue screening them.

The graduation from surface level, to conversation, to banter.

A big one: releasing/not generating frustration as a result of the script.

Conversely: allowing yourself to stay on script and blocking the attempts of others to take you off script, but *skillfully*, in a way that doesnt insult or escalate interactions. Without being rude. Like verbal judo. Just go with it. Wu wei. The gentle way.

Entrainment. Space. Allowance.

Dynamics of presentation in people. Always on/off. Switching. Ignorance of script. "Real people."

Scripts bestowed by the environment.

Practices for noticing/acting within/out the script. https://twitter.com/Cantide1/status/1386370517951827968?s=19

Boundaries and edges.

Noticing if others are on script for not. If they want to be.

Spotting social anxiety without....compounding or intruding upon someone

Creating a safe and accepting countenance for others to see and not rebound off of

Caring for others w/o responsibility

Being present. Cell phone syndrome.

Courtesies of scripted areas.
-traffic flow
-entrainment
-"dont cause problems for others"

Interactivity inside scripted areas.

Deferment of personal non-scripred activities.

Script enforcement aka feeling like you're in an inception dream being attacked.

Common courtesy.

Anxiety emergences and "getting flustered" as byproducts of speed requirements and illusory perceptions.