Psychology of Large Numbers.
The psychology of big numbers is interesting.
The government of the US has been depending on this for some time, now.
Past our physical experiences, our brain kind of files all large numbers as “large” and leaves it at that. This can apply to very small numbers too. two very small amounts don’t feel all that different even if one is 10x the other. Very also struggle to intuit very large differences of very large numbers. We always need a frame of reference. What does it mean for our government to budget a trillion dollars instead of a billion? All our brain hears is “the government is proposing (white noise) dollars for the budget this year.” And our brain files that under “big”.
Want to experience it? Very quickly jump over to the “debt clock” and take a look at the quickly rising number in the upper left with the heading “US NATIONAL DEBT”. Seriously, take a look and then scroll back here…
You know that chilling feeling and doom you feel? I happen to know that it didn’t come from the big 28 in the trillion’s place. You had very little emotional response to that. What your emotions came from is how rapidly the numbers are changing in the thousands place – maybe the millions place, but even that feels like an imaginary number to most of us. You want to check? Go back and look at the numbers in the “billions” place. You probably feel very little.
Now look back and the thousands, hundreds and tens place. Feel the anxiety again?
I consider the national debt to be a bi-partisan (Republicans now only increase the debt and budget slightly slower than Democrats) problem and I also consider our current situation to be immoral.
So, in an effort to help create some energy for change… here is some helpful perspective that may help you desire our government shepherds to be more fiscally responsible:
1 million seconds is just shy of 11 days.
1 billion seconds is about 31.7 years.
See, your brain can imagine that gap in terms of years. I understand 11 days and 31.7 years, and I can imagine what it would be like to eat spaghetti every day for 11 days and the thought of doing it for 32 years feels soooo much longer!
Imagine receiving a prison sentence. 11 days. Bummer!
Imagine receiving a prison sentence. 32 years. Stunned silence.
You know the Smiths? They’ve been married 11 days!
You know the Smiths? They’ve been married 32 years!
Helpful? If you are grasping the distinction, then I have some bad news:
Today, the House voted to approve a 3.5 trillion-dollar budget resolution.
See, your brain did it again!? 3.5 trillion is nothing more, psychologically than “a big number”.
1 trillion seconds is 32,000 years.
3.5 trillion seconds is 112,000 years.
Please start voting in fiscally moral and responsible people. Our great, great, great, great x10 12
Grandchildren would sure thank you.
Ok Chris, I just read your e-mail about 32 trillion seconds and 32 trillion years. Just so you know, my excuse for everything is that “I am from Canton, Texas and I graduated from Canton High School.” The fact that I went to Draughn’s Busness College in Dallas after I graduated from Canton High School seems to be a mute point. However, I do understand your frightening article and it did scare me. I definitely will examine much more carefully the candidates and what they are promoting MUCH MORE CAREFULLY. Thank you for very informative e-mail. Some people who know me may not believe I understand it. More however, contrary to popular belief, will. I actually was an honor student all four years in Canton High School. As soon as some people hear “Canton High School”, the fact that I was a straight A student is lost. Don’t worry, I was popular enough to make up for it. LOL Thank you again for your wisdom. I know I tell you often, but Don and I are so thankful we are under your wise preaching every Sunday. We love our church and we love you. We pray for you and Ginger daily, just as regularly as we do our son and his wife. We will always support you and pray for you.