It's Life, Jim....

Max Planck having won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1818, was a celebrity in the scientific community and went on tour. His chauffeur, who had heard Planck's speech so often he could recite it suggested that in Munich, they swap places and Max should watch, wearing the chauffeur cap, while the Chauffeur delivered the speech. (above: A News Anchor) At the end, another physicist stood up and asked the Chauffeur a rather detailed and specific question. The Chauffer laughed and and said:  "That question is so basic, I think I'll let my Chauffeur answer it!." Cool story eh? Don't just trust people who claim they know things. They may only appear to know things. Got it? Except, you are doing it right now, aren't you? You are taking the Chauffeur story from me at face value.  I've looked on the 'net, and can find no record of the Chauffeur Incident. I can find examples of several people claiming it is true - each of them an 'expert' in their field. ...

  Gaslighting is psychological manipulation involving denial, distortion, or trivialization of someone's experiences, making them doubt their perception of reality, emotions, or sanity, often for control or harm. Authority bias is a tendency to trust and defer to perceived authorities or experts in decision-making and judgment. The term "gaslighting" originates from the 1938 play "Gas Light" and its subsequent film adaptations, where a husband manipulates his wife's reality to make her doubt her sanity. above: Ingrid Bergman in 'Gaslight' 1944 Authority bias and Gaslighting are distinct psychological mechanisms, but they can sometimes be intertwined when one person uses their perceived authority to manipulate another person's perception of reality. Gaslighting can be more potent when the perpetrator holds a position of authority or trust in the victim's life. When an authority figure engages in gaslighting, the victim may be even more inclin...

When people see the face of a religious figure in an avocado, they are falling victim to the Clustering Illusion. The Clustering Illusion is a cognitive bias that occurs when individuals perceive patterns or clusters in random data, even when none actually exist. This tendency to see meaningful connections or patterns in unrelated information is a result of the human brain's innate desire to make sense of the world and find order in chaos. One classic example of the clustering illusion is the belief in "hot streaks" in sports. People often think that a player who has recently performed exceptionally well is more likely to continue performing well, even though sports events are largely independent of each other, and a player's past performance does not necessarily predict future outcomes. Another common manifestation of this bias is the belief in lucky or unlucky streaks in gambling. Gamblers may think that a particular slot machine is "due" for a win after a...

On this day i n 1893, New Zealand made history by becoming the first self-governing nation to grant women the right to vote. This monumental achievement in the global struggle for gender equality was the result of years of tireless activism by various suffrage organizations and individuals. Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia (above) The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) played a significant role in the suffrage movement, as it linked women's voting rights to the temperance cause, arguing that women's votes would help curb alcohol consumption and its associated social ills. Led by suffrage leaders like Kate Sheppard, Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia, and Elizabeth Yates, the movement gained momentum through petitions, public lectures, and pamphlets that informed and mobilized women across the country. Ultimately, the success of the suffrage movement in New Zealand can be attributed to a combination of the relentless dedication of suffragists, a supportive political climate, and a progress...

The common view is that Homo Sapiens drove the Neandethals into extinction.  Some even believe that mythology about dwarves and troglodytes living in 'the mountains' represent a folk-memory of our last encounters with the dwindling Neanderthal species.  Neanderthals were discovered in the 19th century through a series of fossil findings in Europe, notably the Neander Valley in Germany. These ancient hominids revealed a distinct human-like species that existed before Homo sapiens. Human males are attracted to traits indicating health, fertility, and youth, such as symmetrical features, clear skin, and a waist-to-hip ratio of about 0.7. Neanderthal females could have possessed similar indicators of health and fertility, making them attractive to Homo sapiens males. This could have facilitated interbreeding between the two species, leading to genetic exchange and hybridization. Spain has yielded significant evidence of Neanderthal presence. Notable sites include the Atapuerca Mou...

The saying "It'll get worse before it gets better" is a phrase many of us have encountered at some point in our lives. While there's an element of truth in acknowledging that progress often comes with challenges, it's essential to recognise when this belief turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing us to double down on our woes. This phenomenon can be especially detrimental when it leads us to prolong suffering, and this is where the role of an objective mentor, coach, or guide becomes invaluable. The 'It'll Get Worse Before It Gets Better' fallacy often emerges when we're confronted with tough situations or decisions. It's human nature to feel averse to change or discomfort, even when these are essential ingredients for growth. This bias can push us to amplify the potential negatives of a situation, leading to procrastination, inaction, or even giving up prematurely. Paradoxically, this approach can inadvertently worsen our circumstances,...

  On September 15th, 1830, William Huskisson, a prominent British statesman and Member of Parliament, met his untimely demise in a manner that would become emblematic of the early days of railway travel. The setting was the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, one of the world's first passenger railways. A grand event was planned to celebrate this engineering marvel, and dignitaries, including Huskisson, gathered for the occasion. As the locomotive, George Stephenson's Rocket, made its way along the tracks, in a tragic turn of events, Huskisson attempted to climb onto one of the carriages to speak with the Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington. In doing so, he lost his balance and fell under the wheels of the oncoming locomotive. The injuries he sustained were severe, and despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his wounds later that day. Huskisson's death was not only a personal tragedy but also a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the nascent ...

Confirmation bias is a cognitive phenomenon deeply ingrained in human nature. It can significantly shape the way we perceive the world around us. It refers to the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs or opinions, while disregarding or downplaying data that contradicts them. This bias not only affects our understanding of reality but can also lead us to focus on apparent misfortunes rather than recognizing the hidden opportunities that often lie within them. When faced with a situation that appears negative, confirmation bias can steer us towards seeing only the drawbacks. This is particularly evident in how we react to bad breaks – those moments when things don't go as planned or challenges arise unexpectedly. Instead of instinctively searching for the silver lining or potential advantage, our minds tend to zoom in on the negative aspects, reaffirming our existing pessimistic viewpoints. For example, consider a scenario where ...

  Recently I engaged in an expensive venture which I committed to even though I had misgivings and then recommitted to despite nagging doubts in the hope that it would come up roses for me. It didn't. I had engaged in something called Effort Justification. Effort Justification is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when individuals rationalise their commitment to something by exaggerating its value or importance, even in the face of negative outcomes or dissatisfaction.  In the context of marriage, effort justification can lead individuals to stay in relationships that may not be fulfilling or healthy. When people invest significant time, energy, and emotion into a marriage, they might convince themselves that the relationship is better than it actually is. They might downplay or ignore issues, attributing their sacrifices to the idea that their efforts make the relationship more valuable, thus justifying their commitment. Likewise, if someone invests years into pursuing a ...