When you see what you expect to see, you can be easily mislead by your own expectations.
A simple card trick I saw as a youngster proves it.
The Children's Show host, Claude Kirchner, performed a card trick. Then explained it.
Here is the explanation:
Mr. Kirchner started with a large playing card; but instead of hearts or diamonds, he had spots.
On one side, there were 2 of the 3 spots you would have on a three. On the other side, there were 5 of the 6 spots you would see on a six. One of the spots on the side was missing.
On one side, there were 2 of the 3 spots you would have on a three. On the other side, there were 5 of the 6 spots you would see on a six. One of the spots on the side was missing.
He held up the card, fingers over the top spot of the "3" card and said, One.
Then, turned the card over, fingers over the spot on the side of the "6" card and said, four.
Turned the card over, fingers over the blank space and said three. Turned the card over, fingers over the blank space and said six.
One, four, three, six.
With each turn of the card, Mr. Kirchner relied on our expectation.
We believed he was telling us what was in reality only what we expected to see.
We see this in many aspects of life.
In Medieval Times, people believed that a Solar Eclipse was in reality a dragon eating the Sun. They would run to the town square to beat on pots and pans and drums to frighten the dragon away. When the Solar Eclipse ended, they believed that they chased the dragon away. However, they also validated their theory that as Solar Eclipse was really a dragon eating the Sun. For those who watch The Big Bang Theory will know this as Post hoc ergo propter hoc. A fallacy in logic.
Caveat. Beware!
Caveat. Beware!
Sincerest regards,
Slim.
Copyright © 2020 Robert Asken
All rights reserved.
Robert Asken
Box 33
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
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