A conceptual perspective on belief

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5. It's all about reducing emotional reactivity

The term "emotional charge" refers to the emotional component of a thought or idea that remains attached to that idea when it's stored in memory - i.e. it doesn't dissipate over time. In that way it's much like an electrical charge. The term is usually used to mean a strong emotional component, but every concept has an associated "feeling-tone" of some strength, so it's reasonable to apply it as a general term, even to weaker emotional associations.

Yes, I've been working towards this goal for a few years now. It's indeed possible to achieve, at least to some useful degree. I find it reduces my reactivity in the face of situations that used to make me quite uncomfortable. It also makes it easier to see what's really going on with other people and in the world in general. I'm less likely to have knee-jerk reactions to situations and ideas. It's not nihilism. It's related to critical thinking, but with particular emphasis on the emotional, rather than the logical, component of thought.