Re: getting to the point I'm no fun anymore

bukvich@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 <bukvich@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>:

> And I read some more of Theodore Reik's "masochism in modern man". He
> makes much of a theory I have seen elsewhere. It has to do with
> rewards in self-defeating behavior; it is simplistic but I am sure it
> explains some things. The way it works is we all have this little man
> in our heads which dates back to age 3 or 4 who knows that life sucks
> and things are all terribly unfair. The little man gets a thrill from
> sabotaging us, because this confirms its massive intellect and
> understanding regarding the TRUE FACTs of life. The idea that we have
> to cope with uncertainties and probablilities and that it improves our
> chances at success to presume we will win is a concept which is more
> sophisticated than the the little man in our head can get. So
> outsmarting him can be a real challenge. You have to talk to him like
> a 3 year-old "let's pretend things might work out this time if we get
> lucky". 

     Man.  Reminds me of the philosopher of science (forgetting
his name...no, it's Stephen Toulmin) who dismisses all the 
_why_ questions scientists can't answer by saying it's childish 
to ask.
     
     But Reik, as you've described him, is just re-phrasing the
supposedly childish statements he objects to, putting them 
into politer language that lets him wax and polish the ideas he
doesn't like hearing.

     "Life sucks and things are all terribly unfair" is nothing
more than a blunter, less self-deceiving version of the 
'mature' assertion that "We have to cope with uncertainties and 
probabilities."

     Conversely, "It improves our chances at success to presume 
we will win" is merely a ****ned-up variation on the more 
straightforward, "Let's pretend things might work out this time 
if we get lucky."

> In my experience sometimes this works but when it doesn't the
> little man can totally freak out and that is not pleasant be
> forewarned.

     Sounds as tho the unpleasantsness of life has Reik freaked 
already -- not that I'd blame him -- making him complain
three-year-olds are dangerous cynics.  That guy needs some help.

-- Catawumpus