Tr1v14l Pursu1ts: Global warming must be real. It's getting colder in the Middle East. Wait, that's not how it works...

Maxims, rules of thumb and other observations on human cognition and sociocultural affectations

This will be added to on an irregular basis...

What is said to humans directly is received with skepticism and considered with dubiousness while that which is heard in passing, especially that which most conforms to their mentality or prejudices, is readily believed.
Humans have a certain cognitive latency between exposure to new information or experiences and the ability to think dispassionately and intellectually about it.
Humans have a certain cognitive spectrum starting with the moment of exposure to new information or experiences and ending with some point at which the thing is effectively "in the past" for them.
This cognitive spectrum is linked to the emotional process often referred to as shock, anger, denial and acceptance.
The more and faster information or experiences are presented to people and the closer the quarters and the lesser the distance between people, the more their early reactions in the passionate emotional stage are reflected back to them in the manner of responses to those reactions from others in light of those responses.
The more outrages which are suffered without sufficient time to allow emotional bleed-off, the farther the bar for subsequent reaction and outrage are pushed, and the more further events must progress before reaction and outrage.
It is possible for serious detriments to eventually sit below this threshold for long enough for their damaging effects to build and multiply until their entire society undergoes some reactive convulsion.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Global warming must be real. It's getting colder in the Middle East. Wait, that's not how it works...

Snow falls on Baghdad for first time in memory | U.S. | Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Snow fell on Baghdad on Friday for the first time in memory, and delighted residents declared it an omen of peace.

"It is the first time we've seen snow in Baghdad," said 60-year-old Hassan Zahar. "We've seen sleet before, but never snow. I looked at the faces of all the people, they were astonished," he said.

Above emphasis is mine.

WAKE UP AMERICA! The people of Iraq, invaded and bombed in the name of uprooting their previous tyranny, see SNOW as a sign of peace. If YOU were in daily danger of random kidnappings and murders, gunfire and terrorist bombs in the street, would you see snow as a sign of peace?

Not even if you were from Pepperidge Farms' marketing department.

You lack the perspective and hopefulness of Iraqis. How screwed up can you be?