Lessons from Santa
The Subconscious Fat of Believing in Santa
Mr. Skeptical starts before I can begin. “I hope you have something pleasant to say about what you learned from Santa.”
“I learned some valuable lessons from Santa Claus. Or, more accurately, I learned valuable lessons about believing in Santa, but then I learned even more, realizing he’s not real.”
“Were you a cruel parent, telling your kids Santa isn’t real?”
“No. Of course not. It’s fun as a child to believe in Santa Claus. And it’s entertaining as an adult to keep kids believing. This is one case where I believe in or endorse the idea of continuing to bullshit kids. It’s entertaining. However, there are lessons to be learned.”
Mr. Skeptical smirks at me, folding his arms. “Really. What lessons?”
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet
To answer that, let us analyze the song Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
You better watch out, (A child learns to be aware)
You better not cry, (A child learns crying can irritate adults. A child is past the age of crying for nourishment.)
Better not pout, (A child learns not everything will go how they want.)
I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. (A child learns the concept of cause and effect)
He’s making a list
And checking it twice, (A child learns the concept of organization and the value of making lists, which I still use today.)
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice. Santa Claus is comin’ to town. (A child is reminded again of cause and effect, consequences, and the concept of justice.)
He sees you when you’re sleepin’,
He knows when you’re awake,
He knows if you’ve been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake.
(Lessons here are a little more challenging and subjective. Is this a way to make parents have better-behaved children? Is this to endorse the concept of a being knowing everything? Or is it a metaphor for us to analyze our good and bad behavior?)
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet
According to the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, most children stop believing in Santa Claus around age 8. It’s interesting to note that almost all children have lied by that age. Some children had been lying since the age of two and a half.
Mr. Skeptical adds, “This reminds me of the phrase, “You can’t bullshit a bullshitter.”
“Exactly. So, as a child has learned to lie, the child realizes perhaps they’ve been lied to. The child becomes more self-aware, realizing adults have been telling them falsehoods. The lesson here is to realize that falsehoods will continue coming.”
“Give me a personal story of a lie you uncovered after discovering Santa Claus isn’t real?”
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
I was around nine years old and bike riding with an older adult I admired. We were on the side of the road, riding bikes against traffic. And it didn’t make sense to me. It seemed stupid and unsafe. I thought if a car hit us, we’d fly into the windshield and likely die.
“Well, you were right to think that. Nowadays, bike lanes on the side of roads always go with traffic.”
“I know, but this was decades ago, and there were no bike lanes. I complained to the adult, but he said, “We ride against traffic because if a car is going to hit us, we can see it coming.
“I remember thinking that’s a stupid way to think. I might freeze up if a car comes at me, like a deer in headlights.”
“I hope you enjoyed that moment.” Adds Mr. Skeptical.
“I didn’t. I was scared, thinking this would be a stupid way to get maimed or die.”
Mr. Skeptical face is smug. “I’m sure it was the one time you were correct about something over an adult.”
Mr. Skeptical is such a prick. “I did learn something valuable that day. Adults not only lie but may say something they believe to be true even when it’s not, yet children aren’t given a choice and must conform to it. This made me want to grow up fast and question everything, including authority.”
Mr. Skeptical points his index finger at me, moving it in a circle. “Yeah, this explains a lot about you.”
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
Mr. Skeptical asks, “What are a few things you’ve learned that you later realized were wrong.”
“There’s a long list. I’ve gone through phases where I ate little meat, yet now I eat as much meat as possible. I used to think animal fat was bad for you, and now I believe the opposite. I used to think jogging was healthy, but now I don’t. I used to be Christian, but like not believing in Santa, I no longer believe in any religion or faith, especially since we have a logical explanation (More rational than the myths humans have created involving a god creating man) of how we came to be: evolution.
The vital thing to do is to analyze your beliefs.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
― Socrates
Look at your past beliefs and study where they have changed or evolved. If they haven’t changed or evolved, ask why not. Are you exposing yourself to other ways of thinking? Or are you being closed-minded?
Take inventory.
Ask why.
Be aware.
PS Full disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.
PSS For those in the Miami area, I have two Meet-up events coming up one is a Carnivore Event the other a Resistance Band Training see link below for more details here and here.
This may be one of my favorite of yours. Great stuff!