TheOtherDave comments on How do you notice when you're rationalizing? - Less Wrong

12 Post author: AnnaSalamon 02 March 2012 07:28AM

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Comment author: juliawise 04 March 2012 04:19:30PM 2 points [-]

When I get into a particular negative emotional state, I make up reasons that I feel that way. When I start a sentence with a bitter "Fine!" or "I should have known better," it's a guarantee that the next statement out of my mouth ("you obviously don't care", "there's no point in cooking for you because you hate food," etc.) will be something I know to be false but that, if it were true, would explain why I feel rotten. Physically, the cue is me turning away from the person I'm speaking to. The actual explanation, "I like tomatoes, and I want you to like them too" or "I'm tired" or "My brain chemistry might be out of whack" are not as satisfying to say out loud as a condemnation of the other person.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 04 March 2012 09:22:57PM 1 point [-]

(nods) Boy, am I familiar with this one.
That said, I have found that saying the actual explanation with all of the nonverbal signals of the false-but-satisfying condemnation is startlingly satisfying for me. My closer friends have learned to accept it as a legitimate move in our conversations; most of them respond to my explanation and ignore my bodyparl.
It puzzles third parties, though.

Comment author: juliawise 06 March 2012 11:18:24PM 0 points [-]

So a haughty back-turn combined with "I had a bad day and I'm taking it out on you" is satisfying? Hmm, I'll have to try that.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 06 March 2012 11:34:39PM 0 points [-]

Yup. Dunno if it works for anyone else, but it delights me that it works for me.