Jacqueline Thornley- Free Choice #2

One of the topics we discussed in class was the concept of “water in water.” Essentially, animals are like “water in water” in that their behavior is influenced by instinct, not rational thought or reflection. So I started to think about all the times I was just “water in water.” I thought about all the time I spent on autopilot: walking to class, sitting in class, half reading an assignment, filing papers at work, brushing my teeth, and the list goes on. I realized just how much time I really spend doing things without reflecting upon why I’m doing them and I started to wonder if that makes me (and presumably everyone else who drones on at some point throughout their day) animalistic. But perhaps the difference is what occupies my mind while I am in these auto pilot stages. I can think about a conversation I had, reflect on a book I read, go over my “to-do” list, plan for the future, and any number of other mental wanderings. Do animals do this? I mean I doubt they have “to do” lists (but then again...) but surely that must be a key difference. Otherwise, are we just “water in water” too? Or are we just suffering from “water in water” tendencies? Either way, I might just start taking a different route to class.