#10: Johnny
Consciousness, Chills & Zinnias Seeds
Hey Friends,
What do Hal Puthoff, flower beds, haircare, and music-induced chills have in common? Apparently, my week.
We covered a lot of ground—from the muddy back garden to the edges of human consciousness, and a few rabbit holes in between. This edition is less themed, more wandering, and fully rooted in curiosity (and weeds). Let’s dig in.
1️⃣ [Science] – Consciousness, Polygraphs & Government Projects: Hal Puthoff on JRE ✨
This week I listened to physicist Hal Puthoff on the Joe Rogan Experience Episode #2159. Hal’s career is one of those rare blends of academic brilliance, classified projects, and metaphysical curiosity.
Hal Puthoff 101:
Earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University.
Early work with lasers and quantum electronics.
Contracted by the CIA and DoD for research into remote viewing—the practice of gathering information about distant or unseen targets through extrasensory perception—and the nature of consciousness itself.
One of his most fascinating stories? Hooking plants up to polygraph machines to test for stress responses. It started with a theory: Do plants react when people enter a room, when other plants are harmed, or when the environment changes?
Key Insight: He noticed electrochemical spikes in the plants when people entered the room or even just thought about burning the leaves. The experiments suggested that consciousness might be far more widespread and interconnected than we understand.
"Consciousness is not limited to humans. The question is, how far down does the rabbit hole go?" – Hal Puthoff
2️⃣ [Life] – Zinnias, Weeds & Humble Garden Work 🌿
In exchange for a recent golf round, I found myself on hands and knees this week helping Shelby prep her zinnia garden. Oklahoma City has had over 6 inches of rain in the past three weeks alone (compared to less than 2 inches for the same period last year), so our flower beds were bursting with life—and weeds.
Garden Highlights:
Landscape mesh helps block weeds while letting water through. The trick? Lay it tight, staple generously, and slice cross-sections where you’ll plant. Actually, the best technique? Burn a hole or cut a full circle so the plant has space to thrive without being suffocated by the mesh. *We do not recommend this for your whole bed, as this was for a specific application in a small portion of the garden.
Zinnias love full sun, well-draining soil, and spacing to reduce mildew. (We chose 9" apart this year, after doing 12" last year. Hoping to work our way to 6" for higher yield!)
For weeds? Forget flimsy tools. The Korean hand plow (ho-mi) is the MVP—razor-sharp, ergonomic, and oddly satisfying.
The work was muddy but meditative. And as the mesh went down and sprouts went in, so did a sense of calm. Plus, I got my dose of grounding in. Little wins.
"Gardening is not just about growing plants; it’s about growing space inside yourself for patience, awareness, and intention.” — Dr. Anita Phillips, The Garden Within
3️⃣ [Life] – The Hair Rabbit Hole: Discovering 3A Curls 💇️
A friend recently shared he was growing out his hair and learning to care for it differently. His journey sparked mine. After a deep dive, I learned I’m a hair type 3A:
What is 3A Hair?
Defined by loose, well-defined spiral curls
Prone to dryness and frizz, but holds definition with the right care
3A Hair Tips:
Hydration is key. Use sulfate-free shampoo (once a week) and deep condition regularly.
Apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream while wet.
Scrunch dry with a microfiber towel or T-shirt. Avoid brushing; finger-comb instead.
Look into the LOC method: Liquid, Oil, Cream.
Curious about your hair type and what products to use? First determine your type, then determine your correct products.
Turns out, I’ve been brushing curls when I should’ve been scrunching. Rookie mistake.
Let’s hear those comments !
4️⃣ [Science] – The Science of Chills: Music, Emotion & Goosebumps ✨
One song on **Eric Church’s new album, **Evangeline vs. the Machine stopped me cold—instant chills.
Naturally, I had to ask: What causes those chills?
Turns out, it's a phenomenon called frisson (French for "shiver").
According to a study from Harvard, about 55–86% of people report experiencing music-induced chills. It’s more common than you’d think—but still rare enough to feel magical.
Here’s what’s happening:
Your amygdala, the emotion-processing center of the brain, reacts to a powerful moment (lyric, harmony, swell).
This activates your autonomic nervous system, triggering goosebumps and a physiological response.
It’s often tied to expectation violation in music—when something surprises or moves you deeply.
Some people are more prone to frisson than others. Factors include openness to experience, emotional sensitivity, and even musical training.
"Music can pierce the heart directly; it needs no mediation." – Oliver Sacks
So next time your playlist hits you right in the soul, know that it’s your brain and body throwing a tiny standing ovation.
Send me something that hits that spot for you, I’d love to hear it.
5️⃣ [Beverage of the Week] – Zinnia Spritz 🍾
This week’s drink pairs well with garden dirt and country music: the Zinnia Spritz.
Recipe:
1 oz elderflower liqueur
3 oz white wine (or a dry rosé)
1 oz sparkling water
Lemon slice & fresh mint for garnish
Light, floral, and refreshing—it’s basically springtime in a glass.
🌍 Final Thoughts
From polygraph plants to Eric Church chills, this week reminded me that curiosity is the best kind of compass. Whether you're in the garden, the podcast queue, or just learning what your curls are really trying to tell you—keep digging.
Curiosity is consciousness in motion.
Until next time, stay rooted, stay weird, and stay tuned.
– Chance