On Perspectives - An Unedited & Uncensored One-Sided Dialogue

When's the last time your jaw dropped and your eyes buldged over something someone else did or said? Can you put yourself in that moment? Do you recall your perspective as you stood there perplexed by your observation(s)? Were you alone, with a handful of people, or in a crowd? In other words, how many witnesses? Did you remain locked in place watching, did you move to stop it, or did you leave to get others as further witnesses? If you remained in place, why? Same question to those who tried to stop it or left to gather witnesses, why?

Can you see the person(s) clearly? The one(s) who caused that confused expression to mold your face for the duration of the event and some time there after? What thoughts and accompanying actions might have led to unsaid person(s) behaving in such a way? Can you find any rationality in the act(s)? Yes, I'm asking you to rationalize the behavior of the person who caused your perplextion.

We know you were thinking: What The Fuck? But, the far more interesting question is: what was their rationalization for such behavior? To examine what the fuck might cause a person to behave in ways that others find confusing requires that we rationalize the behaviors of the confusing person, those around us, and ourselves. Recall again that situation. Can you rationalize it? If yes, was your initial confusion an issue of assumed appropriateness? The other witnesses (if any), did they register similar expressions? Would you care to speculate on the rational behind their expressions if shared? If not shared?

Can you rationalize your reaction during that confusing moment? Have you now rationalized every aspect of the moment? Can you see it from these different angles? Compare the rationalities, the sides, if you will. In your esteem, was the behavior more or less rational than the reaction? We're reactionaries: our faces, our bodies tell more than our words. We are a self-policing species utilizing facial expressions for unconsciously and instantaneously communicating approval or disapproval. We use this ability most effectively in social settings and rather pointlessly when alone.

If you would, apply Newton's Three Laws of Motion to the situation.
The first law: An object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force. An object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
The second law: Change in motion depends on the magnitude of the force and the mass of the object.
The third law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

How does each law effect the "more or less rational" determinations you just made? Were all sides equally subject to the Newtonian physics of the moment? Is it not amazing that people are simultaneously forces and objects each acting upon and being acted on by others? Our lives are but a series of situtaions whereby we are objects and forces. We either act or are acted on.

Newton's laws do not account for people as objects that are also forces. Though he does near the subject in explaining how most objects become forces, this does not explain forces that decide to become objects or objects that decide to become forces. In this sense, people are exceptions to Newton's laws, as the laws apply to that which cannot make a decision regarding its state of motion, an object. For an object change in motion comes from an external force. For a person, change in motion comes from both external and internal forces.

Can you recognize that initial reaction always falls under Newton's laws, while further action is not subject to those laws precisely because people can decide to act contrary to their initial reaction? Does it not speak volumes to you that a person can negate Newton's laws of physics by changing their mind regarding an action or inaction?

The ability to suddenly change perspective and thus action may come as a surprise to some, but all people are quite capable of it. So, the next time you're in one of those awkward situations where your initial reaction comes equipped with a look of bewilderment, recall your ability to negate physics, take a moment to rationalize the situation, and if appropriate change your perspective.