trying to grok: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

November 15, 2008

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

As I sat down on my cross-country flight, I noticed my seatmate was reading Change We Can Believe In. I rolled my eyes, thinking it would be a long flight. I then took out my Atlas Shrugged, hoping the vibes off of my book would vanquish the vibes off of his.

A while later, he starts chitchatting, asking me where I hail from. I told him I was originally from Illinois, and he pointed at his Obama book and said, "He must be your man then." I smiled noncommittally. Then he said, "I didn't vote for him; I bought this book so I could figure out what the heck he's planning on doing."

So we had a nice chat the entire trip, laughing and pointing out the inconsistancies in Obama's plan.

Moral of the story: Don't judge a bookholder by its cover.

Posted by Sarah at November 15, 2008 10:35 AM | TrackBack

Comments

That's a great story!

I too would have made the same initial assumption. What are the odds that it was wrong?

On the one hand, we have to keep probability in mind. A philosophy based on the improbable can be suicidal.

On the other hand, we cannot equate statistical tendencies with absolutes. Not every single person who owns Change We Believe In is an Obama supporter. I own a Qur'an, but that doesn't make me a Muslim.

I'm glad that the odds worked in your favor this time. What inconsistencies did you two discuss? Did page X say Obama would do A, contradicting another page that said he wouldn't do A? When was A sometimes non-A?

Posted by: Amritas at November 15, 2008 02:41 PM

Comrades!

Moral of the story: Don't judge a bookholder by its cover.

Even a conservative clock is right twice a day!

We must not fool ourselves into believing that everyone who has Barack's blessed bOOk is one of us. The enemy is everywhere. Be vigilant! The eye of the prOletarian dictatorship must never blink!

Posted by: kevin at November 15, 2008 02:55 PM

Okay, now THAT is an awesome story!

Posted by: airforcewife at November 15, 2008 03:07 PM

I'm so glad you had such a fun flight! I had a spastic sleeper sitting near me. It did keep things interesting, but it made me a little nervous. I thought I might lose an eye or something.

I'm sooooooo glad you're here and I'm here. Here I am on your blog & you don't even know & you're sitting right across the room! :)

Posted by: Guard Wife at November 15, 2008 03:31 PM

I'm a faceless stranger who's been reading your blog about every week for a couple of years.

I happened upon Atlas Shrugged and picked it up.

THANK YOU.

Posted by: t at November 17, 2008 02:31 AM

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