Don’t Encourage It
ME
Brain, today we're learning Socratic questions.
BRAIN
Which ones?
ME
“What evidence do you have that this thought is true?”
BRAIN
I already do.
ME
“Is there any evidence against it?”
BRAIN
I already do.
ME
“Can you look at the situation in another way?”
BRAIN
I have seven alternative models. Do you want a table?
ME
No.
BRAIN
Already made one.
ME
“What is the most realistic scenario?”
BRAIN
I have three, depending on the assumptions.
ME
Brain...
BRAIN
Are we including edge cases?
ME
NO.
BRAIN
Then why are we learning this technique?
ME
Apparently so we don't accept automatic thoughts without checking them.
BRAIN
...
BRAIN
Małgosia.
ME
What.
BRAIN
I am the technique.
ME
Exactly. And I think we have a problem.
BRAIN
What problem?
ME
What if Socratic questions are a great tool for a brain that doesn't question its first explanation enough...
BRAIN
Yes?
ME
...but fuel for a brain that questions it seventeen times?
BRAIN
Interesting. Let's analyze that.
ME
NO.
😂
BRAIN
So what do we do now?
ME
Nothing. We move on.
BRAIN
But aren't we going to analyze why?
ME
No.
BRAIN
...
BRAIN
Is this some new therapy?
ADHD
Okay. But... what was I actually supposed to be doing?
ME
Figuring out which tires to buy for my bike.
ADHD
Right. Which ones?
BRAIN
Interesting question.
ME
No.
BRAIN
We can compare rolling resistance, width, compounds—
ME
NO.
BRAIN
And is there another way to look at choosing tires?
ME
...
ADHD
Oh! A Socratic question.
BRAIN
CLICK.