More and more our illusion of free will continues its degradation.
I think it confirms a sci-fi theory that I have: if you want to "upload" a human to a computer, it's not enough to copy the brain. You basically have to copy and simulate the whole body.
Simulating the entire organism would likely predict behaviors but would not qualify as an "upload" as the original copy still exists in reality. There is no transfer of awareness
My best-case scenario is that the movie does not exist, and my memories of watching it are simply my brain's dying hallucinations, patching together memories of The Matrix, Johnny Mnemonic When I Was 13, and Silicon Valley Seasons 1-3.
I've suffered clinical depression so am quite familiar with strong mood swings. It's never been bad enough that I would be hospitalized or anything. But some of the moods have been really bad. Had I followed my worst "gut feels" I would likley be alchoholic, divorced, unemployed and homeless.
So I have parts of me sending these literally gut wrenching emotions that direct me to lash out, do stupid things - anything for the make the immediate psychic pain to stop.
And at that point I have the option to either follow these feelings, or say no. I will do this other thing instead which I really hate doing right now but I know will make me feel better in a while. I would characterize this as an example of free will in action.
I cannot control these emotions. But I can choose how to react to them. And I can choose behaviours that lead to better outcomes (exercise, sleep, etc) even though I don't find them emotionally rewarding (except after the fact when I notice a better mood, being happier in my body).
The higher control is of course still some statistical or deterministic outcome of my current neurological state.
But I am 100% I am at least not directly driven by my strongest gut feelings as far as I perceive them.
I have trouble following and sometimes following my gut too closely.
I think there’s a reason “follow your gut” is a cliche in our nomenclature. There’s something there!
Mood swings are really nasty in the sense they degrade ones trust in the negative "gut feelings" which generally may give beneficial signals.
It's still hard to do. I have to think in language instead of reflex. And it doesn't always work--or I refuse to let it work--in other contexts.
Still a work in progress, I guess.
[0] Sears, Melanie. Humanizing Health Care. 1st, PuddleDancer Press, 2010.
I would say it isn't because you certainly can change the degree of it. One can develop ability and habit to observe and control their mood and behaviour in some significant extent. A thing has to exist to be changeable.