> > It could be an individuality thing. If you're like 98% of other, you're lost in the crowd. But if you're in that *special* two percent, you stand out. Whether this is valid or not...And I think people here are *special*/unique, so they enjoy having it confirmed?
> > I don't think this question is about thinking outside the box, to me, it's just testing a mostly unconcious reaction. It might make a difference if people knew in advance that they were supposed to think of a red hammer, like the Pick Option A poll question from awhile ago.
> >
> > Maz"course, could be warped by my disgruntlement at seeing a red hammer"er31
>
>
> What about the whole concept of fitting in? You can't tell me that the majority of most people's school focus is on fitting in, and it carries forward into adulthood.
>
> Being in the two percent instead of in the 98 means you are different, and that flies in the face of "But Mom, all my friends are doing it!" and "I need to wear this name brand because it's popular" and even "The industry standard salary for this type of position is much higher," as well as "no one understands me" and "let's pick on that kid because he doesn't fit in" and "I do not want to be treated differently because I am black/fat/handicapped/gay, but if you don't have enough black/fat/handicapped/gay people on your roster you're discriminating!"
>
> How do you explain celebrating random differences but demanding a united world?

Because in this case, the way the exercise seems to be set up suggests to me, those who are more 'gullible' will see the red hammer. Now I know that that really isn't the right word, but I'm having a brain fry day, and that comes the closest to saying what I want to. I thought this exercise somehow worked on the power of suggestion, it's not a random trick. SO those who get something different are not easily led. Which is a good thing.
There is outsider-different and special-different, and I think this is a case of the latter.

Maz"fried brains, yum!"er31