by lil

It is easy to make assumptions based on our own experiences, our high or low self-esteem, our vast or limited education. Our brain or mind or consciousness seeks and needs reasons and explanations.

Neurophysiologists discovered the same phenomenon in a radically different context. While mapping the brain, they were amazed to find that when the area responsible for an emotion was electronically stimulated, subjects experienced the mechanically induced feeling, then instantly came up with reasons for their responses.

from The Mind Explains It All, NYT.

Note: Even though the subject knew the humour centre of his brain was being tweaked, he "explained" that he found something funny. (At least that's my reading of the NYT article, which might be false as it lacks a link to the actual research.)

Jumping to conclusions is embarrassing for the jumper when proven wrong. Most of us are amused to realize the extent to which we misinterpreted a situation and often apologize. I wrote about this on hubski on an occasion when I assumed wrongly that the author of a posted story was female. This led to an interesting discussion of gender assumptions.

This week I noticed more assumptions than usual. One assumer humbly retracted his assumption about the number of physics phds on Team Hubski.

Another assumption was made about 1) my interest in a singer and 2) my ignorance about the singer's gender preference. To be honest, I should have ignored the comment and I'm not happy with my response. I confess that I let someone's misreading of my comment be irritating.

Some of you are familiar with the turd tornado that developed last week. Don't read it. It's fierce and sad.

So Hubski, do you have any recommendations for people on how to check their assumptions before commenting, or at least making statements more conditional rather than authoritative?

How do you check yourself or edit your comments to avoid making assumptions? What about in the face-to-face world? Has anyone made a hurtful wrong assumption about you based on a false interpretation?

When you are called out on your assumption, do you make excuses and explanations?

I'd be interested in someone adding a tag or suggesting one that I can add.