I wasn't fed; I was presented with lukewarm appetitive stimuli. I wasn't punished, but broken of my unconditioned reflexes. I wasn't loved, but brought up in an atmosphere of calculated intimacy and intense levels of commitment.
The statement reflects on the speaker's grim upbringing, suggesting they were deprived of genuine care and nourishment. Instead of being nurtured, they were exposed to stimuli that only sparked a faint interest in life, leaving them emotionally starved. The phrase "lukewarm appetitive stimuli" implies a lack of warmth and vitality in their experiences.
Additionally, the speaker describes their upbringing as one devoid of true affection. Rather than feeling loved, they experienced a calculated type of intimacy that was devoid of warmth. The speaker’s unconditioned reflexes being broken indicates a manipulation of their natural responses, suggesting an environment where authentic emotions and reactions were suppressed to create a façade of commitment.
