Embracing the Irrationality Mechanism

Reading Time: 3 minutes
Illustration by Hamda AlHashemi (@Hamda_AlHashemi)

The “Irrationality Mechanism” is a thought that suggests human beings are more “irrational” in their decisions than they know they can be. It suggests that we are wired to sometimes take impulsive decisions that if thought through well enough and correctly become “rational”.

Many people disagree when confronted with this thought. While growing up we are taught to think logically and measure things sensibly, the older we get the more realistic we think we are, but without wanting to, we tend to take the “irrational” approach more than we think.

“Irrationality” in decision-making has been in our heads forever. Every one of us has made an “irrational” decision at some point in our lives, whether this decision was driven by emotions, a gut feeling or taking a risk, it has been done and in many cases it can’t be logically explained.

Now, like everything in life, “irrationality” has a negative side that can be dangerous or bad. “Irrationality” is dangerous when a person makes decisions that are life threatening or are against the law. “Irrationality” is bad when someone goes back in a relationship with a person who makes them miserable or has eating habits that are a threat to their lives.

However, “irrationality” doesn’t have to always be a bad thing or a risk, it has a positive side to it that is actually very good and very funny.

If it wasn’t for “irrationality” human beings would be miserable, they would never take a chance, never give something a shot, never trust their gut and never take a risk in their lives. Think about it, why do we believe in a better tomorrow? Why do we push a smile on our faces when we are down? Why do we continue to be optimistic? Why do we dream?

“Irrationality” becomes funny when we realize that people know we are “irrational” and play with our minds. In fact, sales and promotions are one of the best examples of how “irrationality” is funny.

When we see the word “Sale” on a shop’s window, or learn of a special offer on a gadget or even find out about the “free shipping” option on an online website, as human beings we automatically react to it and most times end up buying something. Ask yourself this: how many times have you bought something you didn’t need because there was an offer or a sale or a promotion on it? And then think about this: When you go to a shop, why is it that the first thing the sales person will tell you about is the special offer they have? Because it works!

This logic of the “Irrationality Mechanism” can be applied on almost anything in life, the more we are aware of how “irrational” we can be the more we will be able to control those negative “irrational” decisions, and as a mater of fact most of us will be able to resist buying unnecessary things!

So believe it or not, the “Irrationality Mechanism” does make the world go round.

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