A Psychological Tactic


This tactic is from Dan Ariely's new book The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home and it is based upon the psychological fact that people will enjoy something pleasurably more if there is an interruption-- whether it is getting a massage or watching television, a break inserted in there when you are no longer receiving the pleasurable stimulus makes you appreciate it again once the break is over . . . and so TiVo actually makes television watching less pleasurable, because resuming your favorite show after some annoying commercials makes you treasure the show even more-- and so the next time you and your wife/lover/mistress are doing something fun, sitting in a hot-tub drinking beer or relaxing on the beach watching the waves or simply watching TV, offer to get up and get your wife/lover/mistress something they want; this is the beauty of the tactic, you will appear to be unselfish because you've interrupted your pleasant activity to get them another drink or a snack or something, but actually you will be increasing your perception of pleasure because when you get back to the pleasurable activity, you will enjoy it more . . . mwooohahahahah (that is how you phonetically spell an evil laugh . . . I also recommend Ariely's other book, Predictably Irrational).

6 comments:

Al DePantsdowno said...

This could explain why going for a smoke is so pleasurable and relaxing...

Lecky said...

lots of references to coitus interuptus in the sentence of dave lately

Dave said...

i'm glad there's finally a theme to this mess.

Lecky said...

seriously though, your Big Boi post below is your best ever. I looked up Superman, nasty

Dave said...

you're dating yourself-- the superman is so 2007.

Lecky said...

yeah but I was supermanning myself back in 1985

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