Chapter 1: The Nature of Thought

What does it mean to think? Is it merely an illusion we create? The animated film "Inside Out" by Pixar (2015) presents thoughts as colorful orbs racing through the mind for processing. Yet, one might visualize these mental constructs as delicate wisps of cloud drifting across a clear sky or as electric sparks flitting through a shadowy forest.

No matter how we picture our thoughts, they are undeniably dynamic: they serve as the action verbs of our consciousness. If we stripped them away, we would be left with a static existence, cluttered with lifeless nouns and embellishing adjectives—similar to decorative items on a mannequin that are gradually wearing out:

Keep moving! Steam, or Gas or Stage,

Hold, cabin, steerage, hencoops' cage —

…For move you must! ’Tis now the rage

The law and fashion of the Age.

— Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Delinquent Travellers"

So, what leads us to assert that someone has not engaged in proper thinking? What do we expect from others in terms of their thought processes?

We desire assurance that they have invested time, grasped the subject at hand, and remained focused, rather than drifting off mentally to a whimsical distraction. We seek confirmation that they've allowed a multitude of thoughts to surface instead of hastily selecting the first option that comes their way.

Thoroughness. Carefulness. Seriousness.

Is there any greater catalyst for disputes—especially among family or couples—than feeling someone hasn't given a matter the serious contemplation it deserves? It can be painful and exasperating when we sense that our concerns are not being taken seriously.

It is not down in any map, true places never are.

— Herman Melville, "Moby Dick"

Yet, we all fall into this trap. "I’ll think about it," we often say, as we nod during a phone conversation. But once the call ends, how do we actually engage in this vague act of 'thinking'?

Typically, we filter through various ideas, tossing everything into a mental sieve, shaking it up while background noise plays, and then accepting whatever emerges as superior to our initial thoughts. Absurd, right?

There must be more to thinking than what we typically assume.

As the post-work drinks conversation with new acquaintances begins, someone might ask, "What’s your favorite spot to visit in autumn?" Gripping your glass a bit tighter, you might appreciate such questions. They're not genuine thinking; rather, they're an exercise in processing information—sorting through choices and pulling an answer out like a magician's rabbit.

Often, the response I provide after these so-called thinking moments is just as bewildered as the rabbit itself.

He goes a great voyage that goes to the bottom of the sea.

— HG Bohn, "Hand-book of Proverbs," 1855

Thinking is not merely about finding or selecting information. It's not about reconstructing old ideas like piecing together remnants of a meal, nor is it something we can simply receive like a gift or message. Thought does not come through direct transfer, regardless of our desire to believe it does.

There is no formula that directly links effort to the quality of thought produced. No magical rewards for time spent or books read.

Repetition of a thought, even if done verbally, does not equate to real thinking; it’s merely an echo, trapping us in a cycle of sameness that leaves us yearning for new insights.

If we clutch the first idea that enters our minds with a naive grip, those initial thoughts become like pacifiers—keeping us distracted, preventing us from expressing genuine emotions, and hindering our ability to develop complex ideas.

One person does not make a party. One thought does not constitute thinking.

If life holds value—and it certainly does—it is quantified by our thoughts. While actions are significant, we are misled if we believe that action can exist independently of thought.

I pity the man who can travel from Dan to Beersheba, and cry, ’tis all barren.

— Laurence Sterne, "A Sentimental Journey"

We gauge the value of our own lives and those of others by the depth of our thinking. And we cannot begin to think profoundly if we accept our first thoughts as conclusive.

Beware: initial thoughts may not illuminate as they should. They can drift aimlessly, becoming lodged in the dark recesses of our minds, only to resurface later, appearing captivating and vibrant as they bounce around in our consciousness.

But their essence remains unchanged. They are merely initial thoughts, and their significance is often an illusion.

So, what should we do when we promise to 'think about it'? We ought to explore secondary, tertiary, and even further thoughts—embarking on a comprehensive journey of contemplation—and refrain from responding until we are confident that we have engaged seriously.

Chapter 2: Engaging with Optical Illusions

This video showcases mind-bending optical illusions that challenge your perception and invite deeper reflection.

This video features optical illusions designed to astound and provoke thought, encouraging viewers to question their understanding of reality.

Subscribe

Quotes from "Off the Beaten Track: A Traveller’s Anthology" by Laura Stoddart (Orion, 2002) remind us that our thoughts must also venture beyond the conventional paths.

© 2024 Mimosa Days