Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
State-dependent truth
I’m between cases at the moment, so this will have to be quick.
Music on this morning’s commute included Depeche Mode’s “Policy of Truth“. Snippet (but take a look at the rest of the lyrics — they’re good):
You had something to hide
Should have hidden it, shouldn’t you
Now you’re not satisfied
With what you’re being put throughIt’s just time to pay the price
For not listening to advice
And deciding in your youth
On the policy of truth
Here’s the question: who out there hasn’t screwed this one up? — Hasn’t blurted out the truth when by any conception of morals, ethics, or reason, the lie was the only correct response?
But we never speak the truth during the calm times. Only when the blood is up. And that reminded me of the Psych 101 concept of state-dependent memory: you recall things better if you’re in the same state (drunk, caffeine-toxic, depressed, in love) as when you learned them. Maybe I’ll get Dave Munger over here to comment. For all I know, state-dependent memory has been debunked.
My next leap of thought brought me to the idea of state-dependent truth. What if some things are only true during the height of anger? I’m not talking about hurtful lies, but hurtful truths blurted mid-argument. How many people revisit these things once everything cools down?
Not that any of this applies to me. I’m just sayin’.
Tonight, if I’m still in the mood for it:
The sadomasochistic psychodrama of swimming lessons
D.
Walnut,
You are such a hoot as we say in the South. I stumbled upon your website while googling “tinnitus”. Go figure!! I now have your blogs bookmarked in my favorites. Loved “I waste time so you don’t have to”. I have a friend who sends me all sorts of weird and raunchy videos daily that I would forward if I knew how to do it.
Hi Lucie! Always glad to get a new reader. Be sure you check out ‘Favorites’ (under categories).
Send your freind this URL:
http://ballsandwalnuts.com/?p=872#comments
there ya go.
Doug, can I ask an ear question? I have an earache. Sharpt intermitant pains. Hurts when I swallow. (and greenish mucus from the nostril on that side, the side witha polyp … I’ll never be able to look you in the face after this revelation 🙂 Allergies?
No what-if about it, Doug. I know I’ve said things in the midst of an argument that were absolutely true at the time, but only at that time. And while I do like to think I’m not strictly typical, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. In a simple example, it’s the child saying “I hate you” when he’s in trouble. And he probably does, at that moment, hate you. But as soon as he’s calmed down, it’s no longer true.
I was going to try to think up some examples from grown-up arguments, but decided I didn’t really want to revisit any this afternoon.
Yup, that’s the interesting thing about it, IMO. Who wants to go there once the crisis has passed?
Crystal, I’ll try to reply later today over at the Boogers blog.
[…] Also worth looking at is Super Librarian’s examination of blurring lines between romance and erotica, and Doug Hoffman’s short but satisfying rumination on situation-dependent truth, which I suspect I will refer to again and again once my kids hit teenagerhood. Last but not least, this news story had me shaking my head while I almost choked with laughter. I know death threats aren’t funny, but when I got to Steven Seagal I just let out this horselike bray of laughter, because once you’ve gone there, things just can’t get any more absurd. […]
State-dependent truth,
So say someone is ripping drunk and they blurt out a truth. Is it no longer true just because they are sober now? If a child says “I hate you” in anger, why is it not true when they calm down? Can’t it still be true, and just an unacceptable yet true facet of a mother/child relationship? When people who are drunk blurt to me, I still hold them accountable once they are sober. Tough if they don’t like it. I can accept it’s the truth, why can’t they?
I always remember things I’d rather forget when I get back to Massachusetts, so it’s valid this state-dependant stuff. (And I have psych degree! My mom will be so disappointed)