Comments on: Check-up for self-delusion

By: Anita

Anita — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:10:16 +0000

Really beautiful observation.

By: Jonha

Jonha — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:13:43 +0000

Hi Penelope,

Sometimes we need to be delusional because it's a state that we find ourselves a little more comfortable than the reality.

Jonha

By: Jason Ethan

Jason Ethan — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:49:50 +0000

Very Inforamtive. Tks

By: Simon Mayeski

Simon Mayeski — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:37:04 +0000

Perhaps I'm a little late on this discussion, but here is the link to a TED Talk by Temple Grandin…I don't see that anyone else has posted a link to it. Worth a view; only 19:44 minutes, both made and posted at TED Feb 2010.

By: Thom@Home Business Reviews

Thom@Home Business Reviews — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:42:11 +0000

Penelope: "But we have to start somewhere in order to battle the magnetism of delusion. It's easy to call out other peoples' delusions. It matters much more to call out our own."

I agree with the sentiment of the last thought presented. But, being able to accomplish this takes more courage and self-honesty than most unmindful people are willing to muster up.

The "magnetism of delusion" begins with attachment. Attachment to a thing, a person, an idea — to whatever. And that attachment is usually the result of some kind of desire or craving which maintains the attachment.

Many people wander through their lives unconscious of their actual thought processes. They don't watch what kinds of thought they are allowing themselves to think. And as a result of this, they allow others to subconsciously replace their own thoughts with the thoughts (or perceptions) of others. Advertisers love this, because it opens up an opportunity for them to insert their slogan or jingle into your mind so that it becomes the thought one associates with this or that product.

Doing battle with "the magnetism of delusion" begins with honestly assessing the situation within one's own mind and "seeing things as they actually are" rather than how one might have been conditioned to see them. And you are right, loosening up that mental conditioning is the work of mindfulness, as well as being being able to honestly assess one's own attachments.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:43:29 +0000

Hmmm, if someone chooses to play football, or rugby, or whatever other they choose, it's their choice. As long as they're aware of the risks, let them get on with it. What WE shouldn't do is glorify it, and make heroes of them, causing young kids to ditch their academic studies for the dream of being a millionaire football player.

By: Jordan B.

Jordan B. — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:31:50 +0000

I agree with Catherine's post. Well said Catherine.

By: Arlene Chase

Arlene Chase — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:13:35 +0000

I do not think I would agree with the way protection of NFL football players is going. Rugby players have very little protection yet thy have fewer injuries than the NFL.
Is the protection being provided to NFL players causing the injuries?
Is the players taking to many chances because they feel they are protected?

By: A Week In The Life of A Redhead

A Week In The Life of A Redhead — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:27:54 +0000

As a mom of a boy who decided to play football in high school, I can understand your anger about this, but as someone raised around men, and often surrounded by a home full of teenage boys, I think you are looking at this bass ackward my dear.

Think of all the men who jump from planes, fly jets into war, fly in special suits off mountains like we saw on TED, go into war or illness torn countries to be the first to help – at great risk to their lives. Many, many men do dangerous things everyday. Think of the policeman who shows up for the domestic violence dispute, or the firemen who ran to 911.

I understand that there is a breed of humans (as we are seeing with the Olympics) who live at the edge of the envelope. Football players are no different. Hell, look at boxers for that matter.

Penelope there are many boys who would never make it through high school without sports – especially football and rugby, because sitting in those chairs and listening to someone go on and on about Animal Farm makes them want to run screaming mad into the ocean. Instead, they go push, shove, run and tackle – something boys do everyday, on any lawn in America.

Football players are grown men who know the risks, and if you tell them they could die, I would bet you my life savings they would all line-up to still play – just like the guy who jumps out of that airplane, or walks a tightrope without a safety net across the distance between the Twin Towers. (OK he was French).

Joe Montana's own boys play football. Think that's not a guy who doesn't understand the risks?

As a mom, the greatest gift I can give to my son is help him do well in school academically, but also to allow him to be the man he wants to be. As the daughter of a nurse I am well aware of the risks, and watch his every move on that field. But he loves football. It has changed him. It has made him more confident and he now loves school.

He is more relaxed and hangs around some amazing boys who average grade points that blow my mind (4.25+) that also play football. Some even play rugby. Luckily mine does not ;-)

Did you know young men have died running up and down a basketball court playing basketball? Yep.

At some point I have to also let my son get into a vehicle and drive – with friends. Tell me this isn't something that shakes every mother to her core.

But football? Girl, go visit a rugby match.

Then we'll chat.

Catherine

By: Dooce Living « Celebrity Gossip, Academic Style

Dooce Living « Celebrity Gossip, Academic Style — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:23:23 +0000

[...] a recent post entitled “Check Up for Self Delusion,” Penelope Trunk, another popular female blogger, recently wrote, “Probably the most accurate [...]