Spaced Repetition and Fire!

Spaced Repetition is a proven psychological phenomenon that explains how humans come to accept new ideas. Our natural inclination is to stay with familiar positions and reject new ideas. At first we have no interest and don't even want to listen. Then, gradually, if the new idea is valid, we begin to listen and eventually accept it. Psychologists say humans need to be exposed to a new concept at least six times (or more) before we will be willing to accept it. Here is a story that illustrates the points.

You are tired from a long day of work and driving. You check into a motel around midnight and collapse into a deep sleep. Half an hour later the motel catches on fire. Your life is in danger but of course you are fast asleep.

1. There is a commotion in the hallway. People's voices are talking about fire. You don't really hear what is being said and you don't fully wake up, but you are irritated that the noises are interrupting your much needed rest. You reject the idea without even knowing what it is.

2. People start yelling "fire, fire" and the beat on doors as they run through your floor. You pull the pillow over your ears and assume it is teenagers causing a disturbance. Your subconscious mind hears "fire" but your conscious mind does not.

3. The commotion continues and you pick up the word "fire." Could it really be? Probably not. Probably a false alarm. Maybe it is in some other part of the motel and doesn't really apply to your floor. You try to go back to sleep, but now you are alert for more.

4. Someone knocks on your door and says, "The motel is on fire. You've got to get out." You begin thinking this is for real but you aren't concerned at a crisis level yet. You stand up and decided to check the hallway.

5. From below the door you smell smoke. Now you are convinced. You quickly pull on some clothes and grab your most essential possessions.

6. As you emerge into the hallway you see the danger and start spreading the word to other, "Fire, fire," you say, as you bang on closed doors.

This same process is followed day in and day out in all areas of our life. Sometimes we buy into an idea right away because we trust the person who brings it to us...but even then we have reservations until we see more proof.

When we are sold we take action.

When we are really sold we begin to tell others.