The Nocebo Effect

The Nocebo Effect

I wish I’d come up with The Nocebo Effect concept, but I’ll have to admit that I ran across a blog on this topic with respect to risk analysis and environmental pollution.  The Nocebo Effect is the sibling of The Placebo Effect with which most are familiar.  The Placebo Effect describes the power of positive suggestion, so, for instance, some can experience measurable positive outcomes while taking sugar pills. The Nocebo Effect describes the power of negative suggestion; others can develop negative symptoms in the absence of the appropriate system stressor.  In the environmental realm, a certain portion of the population will develop exposure-type symptoms just based on the knowledge of that possibility.  If people are aware of the possible adverse effects, some will develop those effects even without exposure.  Both effects are real; but each targets a different set of the population.  Most folks are immune, while others subject to either Placebo or Nocebo.  What type of person are you?

I guess I’d declare myself to be an “Actively Recovering Nocebo”.  I used to literally worry myself sick; allergies, back aches and puking all come to mind.  I’ve always been interested in the idea of Self-Fulfilling Prophesy in a tragic sense.  I’ve been paralyzed to inaction, and my glass is usually half empty (and trending downward.)  For much of my life, I’ve been wary, cautious and naturally negative.

These are real manifestations of my world; but why should I do this to myself?   With awareness, can’t I strive to become Placeboed?  Why not avail myself to free, positive benefits?  It would be stupid not to, the equivalent of not matching my employer’s 401k contribution to the max.

This simple awareness of my nature and my acceptance of possible positive outcomes has been the framework for my current active recovery.   I'm not even exactly sure what I recovering from, but the sunshine emanating from my girls has motivated me to simply (try to) be a better person.  There have been plenty of opportunities for self-improvement, and some of these efforts have been fun as well as productive.  I'm proud of my recent self-declaration (with a question mark) of my optimism, and I can finally say that I genuinely care about others outside my family.  I've been cultivating more and deeper interests, I'm less concerned with outcomes, and way more involved with process.  I now notice, appreciate, and declare the good deeds of others,  I celebrate small victories and I don’t agonize over little set-backs.  I’m more accepting, tolerant and happier than in my not-so-long-ago youth.  Even if I'm "Placeboed", it's my placebo and real to me.  I’ll take it.

Now imagine a fishing trip; you get off to a late start, the weather is tough, and the lake of the day is hosting an unexpected tournament.  It’s not looking like the experience you’d imagined, and so you don’t have much confidence going in.  You fish without passion, don’t catch much, don’t enjoy yourself and go home.

Imagine another trip with the same conditions.  Because of the crowds and conditions you switch tactics.  You might not expect as much from Plan B, but each little success means more, and because this is a learning situation, it’s more interesting and you fish with more passion and concentration.  Because you’re fishing harder and smarter, you’ll likely have more success; this cycle will build on itself and you’re likely to have a good day.  Moreover, it’s a day you can build future, better experiences upon.

I've been on both trips.  I know which trip I’d rather go on.  How about you?

Beers, Crankbaits, and Days Offshore (Standard Economic Units)

Beers, Crankbaits, and Days Offshore (Standard Economic Units)

I don’t think I’m cheap, but I might be considered frugal by some; or thrifty by others.  I’m willing to spend, but the bottom line is that I do like to think that I know what I’m getting for my money.  I’ve been thinking about the evolution of the units I use to help in that All-American Decision, “Should I buy this thing?”  I can’t really judge the value of a coin or a dollar; and that probably indicates a personal yet wide-spread problem with the underlying assumptions in economics.  But I can estimate the personal value/enjoyment of a possible purchase in terms of items that have specific value to me.  And so most of my purchases are evaluated in terms of my set of personally-adopted, standardized economic units.  Here are a few examples of how I think about my discretionary spending:

The Beer

This used to equate to about $1, but maybe should be adjusted to about $3.  I usually don’t have to think too hard about purchases in this range, but I used to; and that experience provides practice for the occasions when I might be trying to stretch a Twenty through the weekend or some such situation.  What my decision-making boils down to is will I enjoy having this item as much as I’d enjoy a cold, frosty beer?  I’m no alcoholic, so plenty of times, the answer is “Yes!”  But if an item means less to me than having a relaxing beer, I probably don’t need it.  Interestingly, the Beer later became my standard unit of exercise; how hard did I have to work, for how long, to burn off how many Beers?

The Beer

The Crankbait

This is where (I hope) my true nature shows through; the Crankbait used to equate to about $5, but is probably due for an adjustment to about $10.  How much happiness would ownership of that shiny new crankbait provide?  New shoes cost a trolling spread?  That dinner out cost how many of the newest Rapalas?  Meanwhile, my tackle boxes are probably more impressive than my bank statements.

The Crankbait

OK, these sorts of decisions don’t really amount to much (although they can certainly add up!)   But how much can I comfortably have in my wallet; what would hurt me to lose?  I’d propose about $100, which I’ll dub the Reel.   What’s my max for spending without consultation?  Probably about $500, or the Fishing Weekend, I think.

The Day Offshore

This is my $500 to $1000 unit.  It’s not referenced every day, but rather is reserved for special occasions.  Car repairs, unexpected plumbing problems, failed garage doors and all of life’s not-so-little-and-yet –not-catastrophic expenses fall into this category.  I perceive all of these as taking away my ability to afford dreamy days offshore; and I really think before buying discretionary items (electronics, furniture, and so forth) in this category.  This is the current Standard Unit for my second job.  How many Days Offshore (or their equivalent) will I accumulate a year?  Will my efforts be worth it?

Returning from an exhilarating Day Offshore.

Beers, Crankbaits and Days Offshore; these I can understand and value.  On their basis and availability, I make my common economic decisions.  There are other denominations, too, such as the Vacation, the Boat, and the House; but I don’t deal with those too often.

Jackie Says…

Maybe you recall my previous reference to Jackie Chiles, Seinfeld! Super-Lawyer.  If not, an August 2012 post admires his way of thinking and talking about topics in “threes”.   Here are a few thoughts on what Jackie might be currently Pullulating! Ruminating! And Fulminating!, or positions he might be Querying! Preparing!  And Declaring!

Affluence!  Influence!  and Virulence!

These are political times.  I’m not an overly political guy.  But it’s pretty obvious to me that a common pattern is emerging at local, state and national levels.  Those with the affluence have the influence.  And too often, that influence is used in seemingly misguided, self-interested endeavors.  We’re all subject to the resultant virulence of these bad ideas, and recovery might be slow.  Wars, financing, (lack of) oversight, meddlesome self-interests, term limits, (lack of) campaign finance reform, suspicion of science and experiments with our children’s education; I could go on, but I suspect these are ageless social issues that will never be resolved to everybody’s mutual satisfaction.  But have we generally forgotten about any premise of personal obligations to do what’s best in the main, at least occasionally?  Have we forgotten that it’s OK to develop and defend your own opinion?  Or that not everything is for sale; and that it’s not the right of those who are able to simply buy societal outcomes or public resources?

Flexibility!  Understandability! and Enforceability!

Here’s a concept that’s been pretty key to my work, but that I think applies to our daily lives and dealings with others.  Our lives would be simpler if the “rules” we live by were universally flexible, understandable, and enforceable.  We’d have options, we’d know our obligations, and we’d understand and be able to anticipate outcomes and consequences.   Of course, when you think about it, each of these concepts thrives, to varying degrees, at the expense of the other two.  So a flexible rule is probably complex and difficult to enforce; an understandable rule would likely be simplistic and either over-reaching or too narrow in scope so as to be effective; and an enforceable rule, if understandable, is likely rigid; and if flexible, likely incomprehensible.  Our rules and guidance in the Real World are a precarious balance of these traits; a 3-legged stool on which we rest.  Too much expansion or attrition in any particular direction will upset the balance and utility of the stool; politicians, regulators, parents, partners and fair-minded citizens should all keep this in mind.

Catostomids!  Ictalurids! and Cyprinids!

But hey, this is supposed to be about fishing, so let’s at least recognize these three families of so-called “trash fish” as being wonderful additions to local fishing options.  And while they may not generally represent my main quarry, they’re always a welcome purfling to my primary pursuits.  I can’t say I’ve ever been disappointed at catching a sucker, catfish or carp.  And let’s face it, my First Choice in 2013 (in open water) was the pursuit of suckers; and some of the largest fish I’ll encounter this season might very well be catfish and carp.  It’s hard to argue with the value afforded by their collective availability, accessibility, and simplicity of their pursuit.  So enjoy each one, recognize their unconventional beauty, treat them with respect, and don’t be afraid to admit that you love them.

Suckers!

Catfish!

Carp!

Values as Yet Uncaptured by Language

“Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language.” – Aldo Leopold

A while back, I received this quote at work.  Against all established and published procedures, the sender had attached the quote to her signature block.  The content of the email itself was most likely meaningless, but the quote captured me enough for me to keep it; and I’ve recently verified the source as Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac (and Sketches Here and There).

I’ve been at this blogging thing for about a year now, and (surprisingly) I’ve reached lots of folks across the globe (at least according to the Stat Tracker provided by Blogger) while truly enjoying myself.  Yet, here, once again, I find myself at Numenon’s starting point, courtesy of Mr. Leopold.

I find comfort in his words.  I know I’ve been unable to clearly articulate all thoughts, all the time.  But I’d like to think that some of what I’ve tried to express has been at least on the edges of Leopold’s territory.  Values as yet uncaptured by language; I’m doing my best, but perfection is likely impossible.  I can see it; I can feel it; I can live it; I just can’t say it.

To continue this entry along these lines would be hubristic; I simply wish that you enjoy (and appreciate!) your next outdoor opportunity.

Glacier National Park

Yellowstone Lake