The polyvagal portal to the Matrix: How Interpersonal Neurobiology underpins your connection to the Internet

Imagine for a moment the scene from the Matrix where Keanu Reeves is connected to the ‘system’ through a tube in his mouth and connections to his body; a portal let’s say from his body to the Matrix. Now imagine this same portal within you but invisible and does not consist of actual wires/connectors. This portal is very real, innate and connects you to other people in the world, it moves from your nervous system and brain outward in a connection called ‘relationships’ and back again. This system is the mind and the polyvagal system and comes from a bio/psycho/social model that’s referred to as Interpersonal Neurobiology and one from which I practice and research, however I am going to apply this thinking to technology and the Internet.

The mind is said to be both within and between us, is embodied and is a flow of information between people in relationships. If you imagine how this information is communicated, perceived and understood you would be correct in thinking this is through your senses. The polyvagal theory proposes the phylogenetic evolution of a nervous system response to safety and communication. In short we can only communicate accurately and regulated when we feel safe to do physically as well as mentally.

This communication system is innate in all human beings and begins before birth. It is heightened within moments of birth when the baby seeks the mother’s voice, breast and eyes…