I have had quite a few experiences that I interpret as concurrent processes handling different functions. For instance, I can start thinking about something on the freeway, and, without realizing it, drive under what I call "autopilot." That is, part of "me" will continue driving the car and alerts "me" when I'm getting close to the off-ramp. There have been times I've been quite surprised when I realized where I was. Another fairly common example (and I think most people experience this) is if I try to remember something - a name or face, for example - and I can't quite place it. It isn't unusual that I will seem to forget about it, but several hours later the answer will pop up, as if some process had continued searching memory and came back with an answer. Even in writing this, there seems to be a part that thinks of words, another process that types the words, and still another process that proofreads those words.

It does seem to me that many of the concepts we have about individuality are learned through the culture. While I certainly have a (fairly strong!) self identity, it does seem that many people insist on absolute ideas about what constitutes their identity that I find rather odd.

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