Shock Jock

Schlieren photograph of shock on supersonic body (NASA)

Why do some things bother you more than others? Why is something of seemingly  tantamount importance overshadowed by a otherwise niggling problem that you rationally realize will be easily resolved? From a psychological point of view human beings are defensive by nature. In other words they often construct attitudes and behaviors that protect us from facing the impact of certain events that are painful. But the mind itself is so constructed that one emotion may camouflage another. Sometimes a dream like a slippery fish slips right between your fingers before you’re able to remember it. It may seem accidental, but then why are some dreams so neatly imprinted on the memory while others need to be chased. It’s not totally chance and the same applies with the trite experiences you sometimes obsess on. Are you really  obsessed with the piano playing coming from the upstairs neighbor's apartment or is that how the mind deals with the shock associated with the imminent demise of a beloved relative or friend? When you experience an accident the body immediately responds by created a state that’s a protective covering. After the event is over, you, in fact, may not even remember it occurred, instead finding yourself going back in forth about whether you want the meat or fish offered for dinner in your hospital room.  Per Plato, it may be lucky you're spared and only see the shadows on the wall of the cave.