Sometimes a whole self-help book full of advice may not be able to explain something that one image or a short video without words may be able to. This video of a dog pawing a window frame where a pane of glass once used to be, is one such. It explains something about mindsets; which may be the only limiting factor in some cases --- Anand Mahindra agreed.
This dog is seen just pawing the air. The dog wants to go out, but something is stopping it from doing that even though there is nothing there. Finally, the dog goes out when the door is opened. What was stopping the dog? Not the glass, only the expectation of the glass being there.
‘Previous conceptual framework’ That’s just a fancy term for mindset isn't it?
This according to him is the ‘addiction to habit’. Knowing how to break free is the most valuable business skill he adds.
According to this tweet, this is learned helplessness. This is what happens when someone has undergone a stressful or traumatic situation repeatedly. One starts to believe that one is unable to change or control the situation even when the situation /conditions change.
Pavlov’s dog is something every psychology student learns about. Pavlov would ring a bell and then feed the dog. Soon the dog formed a connection between the bell and being fed. So then the very sound of the bell would make the dog salivate.
Prejudice works the same way, according to this tweet. It makes us assume the presence of things that may not even exist. The fear and suspicion for some groups of people are similar to the nonexistent glass guiding the behaviour of the dog.
Habits are comfortable. It makes us do things on auto pilot without effort or conscious thought. Change is difficult – not only because it is unfamiliar but because it requires the unlearning of what is known and familiar.
Some saw this video as a metaphor for the patriarchy. In the guise of tradition and societal expectation, there are many restrictions on the choices and freedoms of women. Like the glass, they keep people trapped. Stepping through the door may be possible without having to wait for someone to open it.
The dog being unable to step outside the door can also be attributed to the fear of something new says this tweet.
We can grow to love anything – even our prison. Anything can seem scary – even freedom! And a short video about a doggie pawing at a nonexistent glass can teach us valuable life lessons!
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