tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post7257560757235575911..comments2024-03-20T03:33:22.357-07:00Comments on Skeptophilia: &$*%^#*@*(Gordon Bonnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06003472005971594466noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-43082026662532008042017-05-07T09:41:50.358-07:002017-05-07T09:41:50.358-07:00On reading the various news releases, I found myse...On reading the various news releases, I found myself fuc . . . er . . . plain skeptical. <br /><br />For one, saying neutral words would actually distract a person from fully concentrating on the task at hand, engaging the brain in something that is not easy (either reading or making up "neutral" words while performing the task) as opposed to using what would be free-flowing imprecations that would require little engagement and might help with focus like saying a mantra. <br /><br />For another, yelling, grunting, or any vocalization might have worked as well (weight lifters, do this regularly). <br /><br />In matters of strenght and pain tolerance — assuming imprecations have no inherent magical properties — I'm inclined to assign better performance to something like adrenaline production, something that can be triggered by anger. That, by the way, would be my guess. Just as forcing oneself to laugh can cause physiological responses associated with "real" laughter, I would imagine swearing does the same thing at the other end of the scale.<br /><br />But it need not be anger; it can be excitement or even external stimuli (a crowd cheering). <br /><br />I'm not a fuc . . . er . . . degreed expert and hence could be totally wrong but I'd guess people who like to swear for no reason would find this particularly appealing as a conclusion — that swearing enhances performance — while ignoring the hypothesis that someone who habitually swears might have a lesser response than someone who almost never swears because the words become part of normal speech — unless utered in anger. <br /><br />More interesting to me would be the comparison between those things I mentioned: a person swearing while straining, a person yelling/grunting while straining, a crowd cheering someone on while they attempt a feat of strength. Same for pain tolerance.<br /><br />Now, if that showed swearing as the winner in terms of enhancing performance, why, I would be inclined to belive in the magical power of imprecations over all other assumption rooted in explainable physical reactions. <br /><br />The interesting thing, then, would be trying to understand saying "fuck!" works better than saying "fudge!" . . . but I contend that once the substitution is made and accepted (i.e. your dad employing a different word) the two would work the same way and get the same reaction (i.e. your mother frowning). In which case, it's not what you say, but how you say it and your intent when you say it. Meaning, just yelling out neutral words as if angry might have produced the same effect. <br /><br />Disclosure: I'm not a psychologist. I have no inate understannding of the human condition or universe. It could be — and likely is — that everything I wrote is pure bullshit. <br /> ejdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15190602228388892520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-47562322353253165012017-05-06T13:14:58.225-07:002017-05-06T13:14:58.225-07:00I like your dad's approach. I can see where yo...I like your dad's approach. I can see where you get your subversive streak. Yeah, I'm talking to you!<br /><br />Given the appropriate low and angry tone of voice, even "Rats!" sounds pretty good.4A.HEALTHY.BMIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15427227885064051978noreply@blogger.com