Feeling is the new thinking

by | Apr 10, 2017 | Business, Comedian, Comedy, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Hoax, Ideas, Imposter, Impostor, Keynote, Speaker, Speaking

This is a script written by Rodney for Robyn Williams, presenter of The Science Show on ABC Radio National:

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ROBYN

I’m here today with Professor Harry Dikulus from the University of Schadenfreude, in Salzburg, Austria. Thanks for joining us.

RODNEY

(Austrian accent, like Sigmund Freud)

So far it’s been a pleasurable experience, Robyn, being the centre of attention, feeding my innate narcissism. But coming from Salzburg, I take all achievements with a grain of salt.

ROBYN

Yes, all ambition is laughable. There is a trend for academics to progress theories by saying that ‘x is the new y’. For instance, ‘sitting is the new smoking’. You’ve recently written that ‘feeling is the new thinking’.

RODNEY

Yes, I feel that feeling is the new thinking.

ROBYN

I think I know what you mean, but can I really understand another person merely by their words?

RODNEY

Well, there’s new research about false dichotomies.

ROBYN

Along the lines of embracing ambiguity as a sign of intelligence?

RODNEY

Yes.

ROBYN

So where does that fit into the division between the head and the heart?

RODNEY

It’s a false dichotomy in an integrated human being, to separate thinking from feeling, so if thinking is thinking, and feeling is feeling – which they must be, axiomatically, by definition – and thinking is feeling, and feeling is thinking, then thinking is the new feeling.

ROBYN

But you said that feeling is the thinking.

RODNEY

Yes, that’s right.

ROBYN

But if feeling is the new thinking, that doesn’t necessarily mean that thinking is the new feeling.

RODNEY

I think you’re right but I feel you’re wrong.

ROBYN

I’m lost.

RODNEY

From first principles, I think therefore I am. I feel therefore I am. I think therefore I feel. I feel therefore I think.

ROBYN

I think I understand.

RODNEY

But do you feel you do?

ROBYN

I’m confused.

RODNEY

Well, if you’re not confused, you just don’t understand what’s going on.

ROBYN

You mentioned your interest in false dichotomies. What others are you concerned about?

RODNEY

There’s the separation of the sciences and the humanities, as in your Science Show.

ROBYN

So there’s a false dichotomy between science and the arts?

RODNEY

No, between Science and Show.

ROBYN

So it’s better to show than to tell?

RODNEY

Showing is feeling and telling is thinking. It’s best to have both.

ROBYN

Let me get this right: there are a number of so-called intelligences, and emotional intelligence is about being in tune with our own feelings and the ability to empathise with other people’s feelings.

RODNEY

Yes.

ROBYN

And this is the most importance intelligence, more important that scientific reasoning, evidence-based research, hypotheses, facts, proofs, and all that?

RODNEY

Yes.

ROBYN

I feel you’re wrong.

RODNEY

I think you’re right.

ROBYN

Thank you, Professor Harry Dikulus. And there’s more about this on our website.

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Rodney Marks

I’m an Australian comedian, comedy hoax speaker and corporate impostor. I present comic hoax keynotes at business events. If you like these blogs, you’ll like my live comedy. If you don’t like these blogs, you still might like my live comedy.

Add comedian.com.au to your bookmarks, and one day: book Marks. I don’t do cheap jokes, and I’m freer than you think. I’m comical not anatomical, economical not astronomical.

For more info – and to contact me directly – see my LinkedIn profile, and website: www.comedian.com.au. I’m based in Sydney and travel widely.