Study: Many People Would Rather Give Themselves Shock Than Be Alone With Their Thoughts

The Washington Post reports that a recent study indicates that participants, especially men, would rather give themselves a light shock than be alone with their thoughts.

From the article:

“And while only 6 of the 24 women shocked themselves, 12 of the 18 men did so.”

 3 Questions That Arise From This Story

1. What if being alone with your thoughts means “spending time daydreaming about getting free, mild shocks?” If so, did this study resolve anything?

2. What is the usual follow-up thought to shocking yourself? “Gee, that was a dumb thing to do in the name of science?” (Answer, apparently not, because the report says the people knew what the shocks were like before shocking themselves.)

3. What are 18 out of 42 of you thinking about that you have to shock yourself to change the subject? Was it the math of where we got “18 out of 42?” The math is good. Trust us. And stop shocking yourselves.



Categories: Mildly Bad News

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

3 replies

  1. Guess that makes me “not normal” because I’m always thinking about with my thoughts!..lol!!

    Like

  2. I’m pretty sure these 18 people were thinking about politics.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. This article reminded me of a great Bertrand Russell quote.

    “Men fear thought as they fear nothing else on earth — more than ruin — more even than death…. Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible, thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habit. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid. Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man.”

    Liked by 1 person

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