When the Homily is about Immunology

Reality

Look at this stupid headline: "Study: Americans Don't Understand Others"

Read the details of how the study was done:
The study, though oversimplified compared to real life, was instructive. Keysar and his colleagues arranged two blocks on a table so participants could see both. However, a piece of cardboard obstructed the view of one block so a "director," sitting across from the participant, could only see one block.

When the director asked 20 American participants (none of Asian descent) to move a block, most were confused as to which block to move and did not take into account the director's perspective. Even though they could have deduced that, from the director's seat, only one block was on the table.

Most of the 20 Chinese participants, however, were not confused by the hidden block and knew exactly which block the director was referring to. While following directions was relatively simple for the Chinese, it took Americans twice as long to move a block.

First let me say that most sociological/psycological studies are retarded, worthless, and so incredibly enslaved to human interpretation that they have little or no scientific value. However...

Now stop and think - especially since we don't have details - that it would seem the "director" told the study participant: "Move the block." Now it really doesn't MATTER if the "director" can only see ONE block, the FACT is, the REALITY is that there are TWO blocks on the table. So, perhaps the average American is not so much unable to understand others, but is more interested in illuminating others to REALITY? So when the "director" says "Move the block" we are inclined to inform the director: "Which one...after all, there are two of them."

It's all about how you see things, eh? Makes me proud to be an American!