Action, Reaction and Factor X

 

One of the first concept children learn from a very young age is that of the consequences of actions, or lack thereof.

‘If you touch the socket, you will get electroshocked’, if you walk barefoot, you will wound your feet’, ‘if you eat too many candies, you’ll get cavities’. An action, or more precisely ‘your’ action, will bring about a reaction, presented as direct, unequivocal, and sometimes immediate.

The principle of education is therefore to reinforce this messaging by identifying in every woe that occur to their children as a direct consequence of an action they posed, preferably one which was earlier banned.

‘You see, I told you not to eat this much cake, now your tummy hurts’, ‘sorry you fell on the football pitch, but I told you not to run this mindlessly’. And the pattern can go as far as ‘I told you not to marry her/him, see how you are struggling now’…as an extreme example of the series.

It sounds very basic and infantilizing for anyone older than 15 years old (or even earlier). For parents, it is the need to encourage children towards positive behaviours and getting them ready for living in a society with unwritten rules and principles that can seldom accept any trespasser. But what happens after infancy…?

Thaler and Sustein, in their famous research published under the self-explanatory title “Nudge : Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness”[1] argue that employers, Governments and other institutions use well-known mechanisms to ‘encourage’ better decision-making from fully-grown, rational adults. What they call ‘libertarian paternalism’ goes beyond telling people what to choose through evidence of the ‘best’ choice, it creates an environment that nudges them into choosing it without being explicitly told. Similarly, beyond telling children what they should or should not do, parents create an appropriate framework to minimize their capacity to contravene to the rules. Putting candies as far as possible, putting extra door protection to avoid children playing in the streets, adding children protection on sockets, etc.

In the Nudge, the authors explain that “school children, like adults, can be greatly influenced by small changes in the context. The influence can be exercised for better or for worse. In this case, they define a nudge as ‘to push mildly or poke gently in the ribs, especially with the elbow.’ One who nudges in that manner—‘to alert, remind, or mildly warn another’—is a far geshrei from a noodge with his incessant, bothersome whining.”

In this case, paternalism leaves the intimacy and legitimacy of the household and takes off public and policy space. Beyond the policy space, paternalism can be identified in very different realms. One of the most common is religious. The Torah, the Bible, the Quran, to name only these, can be seen as compendiums of historical accounts and parables which all come down to one main thing, except for few details, outlining principles of Divine existence, and what God establishes as appropriate course of action, with, consequences in case of non-compliance. Far from reading the Word of God as a list of prescription, one has to acknowledge that any account of action, is followed by reactions and consequences. And for a book which exerts immutable principles about the main character, then the pattern of action/reaction-consequences is a given.

More generally, society as a whole is usually about establishing and reinforcing pre-set patterns of action/reaction and consequences. Not by mere paternalism from the ‘pattern-setters’ (Kings, Priests, Governments, etc.) but also because individuals, at least most of them, seek these patterns as an appropriate predictor of their tomorrow. Think about this : in our early infancy years – here I am speaking of children who are lucky to evolve in what could be considered a safe and healthy environment with caring adults around, which of course can be challenged in other settings that society would define as irregular or dangerous – we are born in an environment where most of our actions are pre-determined and those that go too far astray are at risk of being sanctioned.

As we grow older, we progressively discover loopholes, grey areas that we learn and experiment control over. The pre-teenage to early youth years are those that are most prone to discovery, starting with self, challenge of societal norms, and seeking independence. Pre-adolescence (10-12 years) offers a time to develop a stronger sense of self, questioning authority, starting with that of parents. From early adolescence (13-15 years) where puberty and increased peer influence enhance social dynamics and self-expression, to late adolescence (18-25 years) where identity, career paths and relationships make individuals engage deeper with societal and cultural issues, these golden years are also those that see individuals, all or most of us, in our most rebellious phase. Indeed, as we are seeking to understanding ourselves, we become less accommodating for any uniformizing force, making us believe that we are just another person, making us same as we strive to justify our individuality and specificity. Struggling to believe we are, and we ought to be, because we never where any how else. This rebellion can also be assimilated to creativity, innovation and seeing things outside of the box, a box that we identify with boredom, routine, and nothing close to excitement.

What happens after this initial encounter with Society?

Well, the shaky teenage years, are usually followed by adulthood, seeking to solidify and stabilize: identity (usually basing it on a career or social path), values, value (financial, skillset, decision-making, etc.), social positioning (relationships, family relations, etc.) and how we wish to contribute to this society we are understanding progressively better. With it comes the first sentiments of feeling locked in, hindered in our capacity to think outside of the box by…ourselves. A young adult having internalized the rules, written and unwritten, of social interactions, self-censors and limit his own creativity for fear of consequences. By that time, the action/reaction and consequences patterns hold higher stakes than earlier. It is therefore not impossible to embrace change and innovate, but it does become harder. However, when one is bold enough to stand out, think outside of the box and innovate, they might excel, exerting that ‘je-ne-sais-quoi’, the Factor X, the making of an outlier.

In this journey, we make decisions, take oaths and commitments, beat ourselves up for falling down and stand up again, taking advice and following uncovered paths or so we think. Moving through a maze of paths, alleys and trails by force of our decisions. It is estimated that the average human being makes about 35,000 decisions each and every day. From the smallest to the most difficult ones. Most of these are made based on a mix of rational thoughts – or what we identify as such – emotions, social influences and environmental cues. The latter can, and usually are, be subtly altered to nudges us into Society’s most desired course of action, or rather the decisions that are established by the “choice architects” as the most appropriate. While these can ask the question of transparency (do people realize they are nudged), manipulation (it is our cognitive biases that are manipulated) and intent, it is equally important to question how the relation between action/reaction – consequence evolves with time. As rationality is what we intentionally base our decisions on (the other factors being less under our control), we make decisions on basis of an intended outcome, a reaction or consequences that we desire. Hence, logic, reasoning, and evidence-based thinking are the key tools we use to make decisions; while we are largely at the mercy (dramatizing a bit here) of our emotions, social and peer influence, and the environment we operate in.

Making our way into adulthood (or finding ourselves there…), the principle of action and reaction continues to shape our lives, but with new layers of complexity. The decisions we make are no longer just about immediate consequences but also about long-term impacts. For instance, choosing a career path is not just about securing a job but about shaping our future identity and lifestyle, and can be influenced by a model parent, an acquaintance’s advice or even a TV show. The reactions to our actions become more nuanced, influenced by a myriad of factors including societal expectations, personal aspirations, and unforeseen circumstances. This complexity requires a more sophisticated understanding of the interplay between our actions and their consequences, often demanding a balance between rational decision-making and emotional intelligence. And when these outcomes take shape, it is our interpretation that shape their very meaning.

However, the predictability of action and reaction is not always straightforward. Enter Factor X – the unpredictable element that can disrupt even the most well-thought-out plans. Factor X can be anything from a sudden economic downturn, a health crisis, or a technological breakthrough that changes the landscape of an industry. These unforeseen events remind us that while we can control our actions (to some extent as we have seen previously), we cannot always control the reactions or outcomes. This unpredictability requires resilience and adaptability, as we must be prepared to pivot and adjust our plans in response to new realities. It also highlights the importance of flexibility in our decision-making processes, allowing us to navigate the uncertainties of life more effectively.

In conclusion, the journey from childhood to adulthood is marked by an evolving understanding of the relationship between action and reaction. While the foundational principles remain the same, the context in which they operate becomes more complex and unpredictable. Factor X serves as a reminder that life is full of surprises, and our ability to adapt to these changes is crucial for our personal and professional growth. By embracing both the predictable and the unpredictable elements of life, we can make more informed decisions and build a more resilient and fulfilling future. This also serves as a core foundation of the duality of our might, when taking decisions that can impact our lives and others’, as well as our humility, the little power we have on reactions, even as we put our best intentions into our actions. And this is maybe where lies the key to our fulfilment as actors : our intentions are all we have to offer to the world, with the hope that it gives them back to us blossomed and fruitful.

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[1] Thaler R.H, C.R. Sustein. 2008. Nudge : Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Yale University Press New Haven & London.