Unicorns are real

This morning on the radio – the Takeaway – Professors of Psychology Paul Atchley and Steven Yantis were discussing their recent wilderness retreat (featured in the NY Times), during which they “unplugged.”

Being “plugged” is rarely my worst distraction and the Times seems to have an affinity for these pieces (a few weeks back, a couple that neglected the kiddos so they could facebook!) so I was trying to ignore the conversation (things can get pretty esoteric on NPR at times).

However, like listening to a slow faucet drip while trying, failing to fall asleep, I couldn’t, as wired soon became conflated with multi-tasking and the state of mind during such, analogous to ADHD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia!

That led me to my feet, marching about the office, dramatically gesticulating, disparaging the foolery to my concurring co-workers as they dialed public safety (not the first time!).

This is another exhibition, once again that medicine is not science and that is especially true in the mental health fields where the black arts retain a firm foothold and conjecture is postured as conclusion rather than the hypothetical for exploration.

That had been the end of my consideration of the piece but then, mere moments ago(!), I clicked over to Mind Hacks where, of course, Vaughan Bell has a splendid rebuttal.

Anyone who thinks multi-tasking is novel should spend a day looking after four children, a small collection of animals and cooking on a stove at the same time (that, by the way, is an easy day).

Precisely. I've often thought, as well as talking on the cell phone, children should be banned while driving, too!

Commenter Jason, nails it:

I actually enjoyed reading the piece, though it’s it clear that it suffered from some identity confusion. It was a human interest piece dressed up as science.

Perhaps going rafting is a euphemism for speculation.