I was stumbling (cue drums) on stumbleupon *ba dum ching* today and found an article about one of the most used placebos in America. Conveniently, I can't find the website so...sorry.
It talked about how we, as a Western Civilization, feel an entitlement, a feeling of empowerment, when we push a button. We expect something to happen. We press the doorbell button and it rings. We push the 'up' button on the elevator and it lights up and acknowledges that we are wanting to ascend. There's some physiological or psychological or something-rather process that goes on in our heads that actually gives us a sense of accomplishment when we press these buttons.
However, when it comes to certain things, the buttons are just there for our pure amusement. Like the 'close the door faster' button in an elevator. Due to some Disability Act of some sort, this button doesn't actually make the door shut any faster than it usually does. However, when we push it, it seems to shut faster thus giving us the satisfaction of being in control. Another example is the button on the crosswalk. Something like 9 times out of ten, it's not gonna work. Why's it there? It probably did work at some point in the past, but now it doesn't and it wouldn't be cost effective to fix. One last example it gives is the infamous thermostat. Companies will go at great lengths to install fake thermostats in the offices to ensure their employees they're in control of their heat or cooling. If they turn it because they're too hot/cold, they feel better, even though it literally did nothing to the actual heating/cooling unit. But hey, it keeps them from complaining.
Not only is this an interesting story, it brings up a good point. No matter how much you feel you're in control, you're not. You might press that button, and the end result might happen, or at least it will feel like it did, but you really had nothing to do with it. We press these buttons in hopes of it actually having an effect on our lives but the final product might not be as much of our hard work as we'd hope. This isn't as depressing as it sounds. It's just a nice reminder that while we do need to work on achieving what we desire, we need to remember there's other people out there that have much more of an influence on that final product than what we think.
Hey look. I found it...
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2QkHks/youarenotsosmart.com/2010/02/10/placebo-buttons/
1 comment:
Ooh good find! I always wondered about the close elevator button!!! And um, I can totally relate to the office thermostat placebo. It's in my boss' office and anytime she says she's turned it down (so it should be warmer) I am immediately happier (as I shiver into my tea). haha. Cool post B-ri.
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