Just Say I Don’t Know

Why am I writing this? I don’t know. I can give reasons, but I can’t be sure they are accurate. Such ignorance is okay, or at least it should be. The temptation is always to explain, but that often does nothing useful. In fact, it can just get in the way of actual understanding. Let me explain…

Rationalization 101

John was hypnotized, and given the post-hypnotic instruction to get up and put on his coat whenever the doctor touched his nose. Once out of the trance, they talked. During the conversation, the doctor scratched his nose, and John immediately stood up and put on his coat.

The doctor asked him why. “Oh, I thought we were finished,” John said, and he took off the coat. A minute later, the doctor touched his nose again. John again immediately stood up and put on his coat. “It’s getting cold in here,” he explained. Read more »