Emotional states are fairly quick bursts of neuronal gossip. Traits, on the other hand, are more like the neuronal equivalent of committed relationships.

Summary

This quote suggests that emotional states, such as happiness, sadness, or anger, are momentary and temporary occurrences caused by the communication between neurons in our brains. They are described as quick bursts of "gossip" among these neurons. In contrast, traits, like personality traits or long-lasting patterns of behavior, are compared to committed relationships between neurons. This implies that traits are more stable and enduring, reflecting consistent patterns of neuronal activity over time, while emotional states are more fleeting and ephemeral.

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