This is another episode of everyday philosophy. First, I have to talk about my driving license.
Target fixation.
I was good at studying, but not driving. I do not claim to be Sheldon Cooper. However, that was because I did not have enough exposure to vehicles. However, after being selected to university I thought, maybe it's time to have driving license. Hence, I applied to a local driving training program. Oh! there were so many things to write about the stupid training I had. But I will cut the crap short and come to the day of the trail. I applied for both car and motorcycle license. And obviously I did not pass the car license trail. I had a shot at motorcycle. After showing I can drive an 8, I had to drive a short distance along the main road. And I remember once I started driving, nearly missed hitting a lorry. More like I was attracted to the lorry and could not avoid a collision. Most funny fact is it wasn't a moving one, just a one stopped by the road! Somehow, that was my first and only experience in target fixation. Target fixation is a behavioral phenomenon observed in high-speed drivers that when they are fixing their focus on target, they increase the risk of hitting the target.
How to Ski
I have zero experience in skiing. However, I know how to! you would tell me that's not possible. But I think I know the theory! It is a piece of cake riding a four-wheel drive on a desert. If you have seen skiing it is a totally different game. Especially the ones who take wild rides in trees and rocks abandoned slopes, with collision prone courses. The miracle is not to hit anything. How do they do it? If target fixation is true, obviously none of the skiers would ever come down the mountain without a scratch. But they do. Obviously, they only look at the path ahead not the trees! So, that is the hidden truth. They do not have even a fraction of a second to look at trees and obstacles. They are so much focused on the road, makes sense right? If not skiing, mountain cyclists follow similar principles, when they ride, and fear has no place for the entire ride.
Pink elephant philosophy- law of attraction- target fixation
Have you ever known similar concept before? Does law of attraction feel similar to this? Law of attraction tells us to focus on positive aspects of life. And you might even get your dreams one day if you keep on attracting them. Target fixation or the pink elephant philosophy shows the opposite, showing what will happen if you focus too much on negative aspects or barriers of life. All these are about winning the game or achieving your targets. However, I think there are higher bounds to philosophy than matters of human greed. How about pulling out the greed tree forever and attract nothingness?
If you are into these extreme discussions, you can start reading consciousness.
While you think about it. I will mention why it is called pink elephant. It goes like this.
"Do not think about the pink elephant!"
If someone tell you this, moment you hear the word pink elephant you would not be able to stop thinking about it. Just like the Simon says game. It really does show we do not have control over our thought process. You can read more on this, in the article how to program ourselves, and deterministic world and free will.
Let's focus on mindfulness and silence today.
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