The LDer as problem solver?

I've been looking at the way many of my lucids have panned out:

I'm in a non-lucid, I'm in a tricky situation (for example, an alien abducts me), I'm scared and I think, "I wish this was a dream - I'll RC to be sure", I'll nose pinch and know I'm dreaming and then fly off and explore.

I was thinking of ways to reinforce the benefits of becoming lucid so that your unconscious, sleeping mind would see becoming lucid as an attractive option in the future. So, instead of becoming lucid and doing self-indulgent things, I could actually become a problem solver and solve the problem I'm facing in the non-lucid. So in the "alien abduction" example I could capture the alien or perhaps kill the alien. The result of this would be that in a future non-lucid (especially a stressful one) my sleeping brain would view becoming lucid as a problem solving strategy and thus would be more likely to make me lucid.

I don't know if this would work - in my last lucid I forget to solve the problem and went off flying instead.

That sounds very logical to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobblehat

example I could capture the alien or perhaps kill the alien

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"Say No To Interplanetary Violence Dude" :wizard:

It is important, I think, to not necessarily make the distinction of it being beneficial to become lucid in dreams. Instead, realize that being lucid is useful for problem solving all the time. "Am I dreaming?" can become the first reaction to any strange or adverse situation. If the answer is yes, then you are lucid while dreaming and have more control, but if the answer is no, then you are lucid while awake and still have more control over your situation. Awareness is always a good thing :D

Make FRIENDS with the alien! LOVE the alien!! The alien is YOU!!!

But maybe give it an anal probe just for good measure.

IdigoGhost and DarkMatters, I'm pretty opposed to using LDs for violence - I just couldn't think of a better example. Don't know if you're fans of Red Dwarf but maybe I could hit it with an extensive leafleting campaign? ;)