What’s the Difference
Mathematically speaking, there will always be differences in solutions. But not everything can result in a known difference. When I hear my brain ask me “What’s the difference?” in a resigned manner, it is usually because of some result that I wasn’t counting on. The tone is letting my thinking brain know that whatever I thought would happen did not. I feel it necessary to find out what unpleasant thing happened that I can’t do anything about. The difference is often wide and deep due to the lack of control. I feel my shoulders shrug when this statement is broadcast in my brain.
Difference vs Dispute
Depending on the vibe or tone attached to the thoughts in our head, a completely dissimilar result may occur. The weird part of our automatic and unconscious reaction is how the tone controls how the meaning is interpreted. I might hear the statement “What’s the difference” and try to figure out what someone else finds fault with. I might hear it indignantly because someone has the audacity to question something. I could even hear it mean that I am unable to see a meaningful distinction from something else. I am flummoxed.
Just a Disagreement
It’s strange that it is our differences that we tend to notice first. Especially because there is so much that is the same about us. In our fast paced, keeping-up world, you can purchase the same article of clothing or appliance or coffee in most places. There is less differentiation. You might think that this would bind us closer since it seems like we agree on so many subjects. But there is no shortage of disagreements. You hear misunderstandings escalate into arguments between politicians, school administrators and parents, managers who want to control employees, and travelers and airline employees. In our youth, we usually just took arguments out on siblings. With smaller families, we noticed our friends more and fought with them more. As we grew up, our colleagues in open workspaces were close enough for us to notice what they did incorrectly. Our world got a little smaller and closer. Nonconformity often gets noticed when something doesn’t match your beliefs.
Identical Difference
We like to agree with those whose identities are similar to ours or we resemble. We think that we will see eye to eye harmoniously. That makes sense when you note the differences between the natural ability we display in sorting ourselves into groups. That may account for the variety of reasons found for answering the question that confuses my brain. When I hear “What’s the difference” it gives me a chance to explore my thoughts as well as the viewpoint of others. It is a good place to choose discovery over debate. Hearing differences explained removes the possibility of snapping at someone else’s idea and creating an atmosphere of challenge. That’s when our beliefs mingle and start to provide shared truths. If we could speed up that process, we could decrease more thoughts that keep us from division. Nobody wants to do that much math. One of the secrets to a happier life is the fact that you don’t have to tell someone you disagree with them.
Are you intrigued by differences? Why do we crave the safety of everything being the same? How are you different?
