Dream Content

I was almost shocked when Hobson seemed to suggest that there is no difference between manifest and latent content in dreams, and that dreams are random, unpredictable, and motivationally neutral. Those are, in my opinion, very careless remarks to make. Can he really find no patterns whatsoever in dreams? In what kinds of people dream certain kinds of dreams in certain circumstances? No patterns within the similar images and situations people experience in dreams? If he can find no patterns, no reason to look further into distinguishing the different types of content in dreams, he is obviously refusing to see them. The way he dismisses these aspects of dreams, like content, so easily makes it seem like he thinks dreams are meaningless and unimportant, which I think is a huge mistake. I appreciate that he says you may be able to draw some meaning from then, but I don't like the implication that dreams have no intrinsic meaning. I think dreams have a very powerful influence over people and shouldn't be dismissed so lightly, without seriously studying them on a deep level. Dreams can be reflective of what's going on in the back of your mind or in your everyday life, and they are certainly very meaningful. I think the content of dreams is the most important thing about them. The obvious symbols and the hidden meaning within the symbols if of the upmost importance not only to the dreamer, but also potentially to psychoanalysts and psychologists in general. I think Hobson should have looked a little closer in to dream content.