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This episode reminds me of "target fixation". When I was learning to hang glide, my instructor said that when you want to avoid a tree or power lines, it's imp
by 13ren 18y ago
This episode reminds me of "target fixation".
When I was learning to hang glide, my instructor said that when you want to avoid a tree or power lines, it's important to not fixate on it, because the craft tends to follow the direction you lean towards. People have died that way.
Auston wanted to avoid an employee who was only in it for the money - but by fixating on the thing that he doesn't want to be an issue (i.e. money), it has become the dominate issue. If you don't want a fire, don't fan it.
If you want to avoid something, the best strategy is sometimes to focus on something else that you do want. It's a kind of positive thinking, but one that has saved lives.
- brianlash 18y agoI've heard the same principle as it relates to physical wellbeing I think it's 100% true. Diets fail because they're all about food. Better to lose unhealthy weight by exploring other passions... even things that aren't physical such as playing an instrument (or coding). Then over the long term you can start to consume less and less as you have food on the brain less and less.
- dcurtis 18y agoUnfortunately hunger is a biological urge, and it's not exactly something you can choose not to fixate on. Anything else makes sense, but I really don't think it applies to dieting all that much on an extended basis (for a short period of time, though, maybe).
- unalone 18y agoTo some extent, you can ignore it. I mean, most people eat far more than they have to. As a result, they become accustomed to it, and get hungry faster than they biologically have to.
- ejs 18y agoMan times people are really just thirsty but cannot differentiate the difference.
- jodrellblank 18y agoOr if you believe Vonderplanitz, many times people are craving fat as a building material and bodily lubricant, and instead drink water. Anyway, I claim urban myth on your post ( http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp ).
- brianlash 18y agoI see what you're saying. As a different way of looking at it, I've always considered that Desire for Meat (bread/poultry) = Biological, Desire for Hostess Cupcakes = Psychological. And while you shouldn't fudge with the former, the latter can be manipulated with things like this "target fixation." Least that's been my experience, and I was a chubby teen. It's all very unscientific, and you may be right. But I have this feeling there's room for a distinction between biological/psychological food needs and the ways we cope with each.
- helveticaman 18y agoCoding is very physical. Your brain burns through tons of calories as it is, and is in overdrive when you code. I had a teacher who said he'd lose several pounds per game in competitive chess play. It burns between 15 and 30% of your caloric intake, depending on which source you find the most accurate and the size and level of activity of your brain.
- helveticaman 18y agoI now realize the asterisk symbol doesn't work the way I thought it did.
- jodrellblank 18y agoWhen I read this a few weeks ago, I was surprised by its simplicity and sense and obviousness. http://www.drbass.com/temptation.html http://www.drbass.com/temptation.html Indeed it is the same core idea(s) driven at from the view of meditation, of positive thinking, or the "you see what you are looking for - think of 23, see 23 everywhere" experience. As such, I suppose HN and similar sites are about promoting the "think of opportunities, see opportunities" side, while all web forums talk about "not feeding the trolls".