Discuss Definition of insanity

Use this forum to discuss the November Book of the month "If life stinks get your head outta your buts" by Mark L. Wdowiak
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JoLei
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Re: Discuss Definition of insanity

Post by JoLei »

I agree with Sicily Joy; you should change how you do things to expect different results, however, how is the repetitive action the definition of insanity? Does the author mean that repetition without altered results can drive a person insane? The definition confuses me.
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KateM234
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Post by KateM234 »

I definitely agree with the author on this point! Doing things repeatedly and never being satisfied by the same conclusion is truly insane. Life is about growth and evolution. I am a different person today than I was last year, five years, ten years ago. If I try over and over for a result and get nowhere, part of the evolution of life is making myself learn to be flexible and change the way I'm trying to accomplish the result OR change what is is I want as a result!
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Post by Randysgal »

The author's view of insanity is one I can agree with, however, my favorite way to explain it is "the difference between sanity and insanity is in the action or lack thereof". In a sense, both are saying the same thing. If you do not make the changes yet expect the results to be different you are looking at inaction.
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Taylor Danvers
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Post by Taylor Danvers »

I think his definition is flawed. Sometimes doing something consistently until we learn to do it right is what life entails. I think his definition leaves out the part where doing the same thing in the same way and expecting different results is insanity. But just doing the same thing isn't over and over and expecting different results isn't insanity. For example, if you have a dream and you keep failing over but you keep getting up and trying again isn't insanity but failing and trying again in the same way you did it the previous time and expecting different results might be insanity.
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Randysgal
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Post by Randysgal »

Although I do understand the "try and try again" theory, which is tried-and-true, insanity would be expecting that changing nothing would grant us different results. Even when we try to do it right we will hone our skills and thus change even minute details. For instance, in your definition, Meaow love, if one was to write a book that nobody wanted, the next time, although you may take the same steps to write the book, you would undoubtedly improve your writing skills, thus changing in small ways. Sometimes the changes are small, maybe even minuscule, but changes none the less. If you wrote the same book over again and did the same marketing and publishing and it still didn't sell, and you kept repeating this, that would be insanity.
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Post by steigerd »

"Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting to get a new result is an insanity" is a saying often quoted. The author appears to agree with this statement. However, insanity is a mental illness that a person cannot tell the difference between reality from fantasy. A derangement of the mind.
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Rose Harebate
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Post by Rose Harebate »

I do agree with the author. If you keep failing in life, and can't take a different approach to change things, then that's insanity at its best.
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Post by skindrukas »

Definitely, I agree with that statement. To change something, on the other hand, is very hard. Very often we want to change many things at once, which is even harder or, maybe, impossible. Changing habits is something we can be proud of these days. Because if we did succeed once, it means that we can change anything.
The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers. --- Matsuo Basho
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Post by Bluebird03 »

The best definition I have heard is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result". It's amazing how this simple concept appears to elude many people. I can just hear Dr. Phil asking someone on his show "and how is that working for you?". If it isn't working and you want a different result, try something else. :D
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Post by Ghost11111 »

I do agree with the author that repeating the same actions repeatedly yet expecting different results is the definition of insanity. If you drive into a wall and only reverse and drive into the wall a second or third or fourth time, it would be insane to think that would get you a different result. Without making a change to the situation like turning the stearing wheel to go a different direction to avoid the wall, the same outcome will occur without fail.
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Post by Twylla »

It is absolutely true! If an action doesn't result in the desired reaction, try a different action. This book was full of great advice.
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Post by Frannie Annie »

This kind of advice helped me break out of negativity because what felt "safe" and "right" was actually going to lead me off a cliff. I don't know if I would go so far as to say its insane, but this is good advice nonetheless.
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Post by Mrunal Tikekar »

I agree with the author's line. But I would not call it insanity. Just a lack of purpose, lack of direction in life. Insanity would be knowing the kind of changes you need to make, having the ability to make those changes, but actively staying inactive.
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Post by Marion Jepkosgei »

I totally agree with the author. I mean, what's the point of repeatedly doing something that doesn't yield favourable results? That definitely is the brink of insanity.
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Post by Ogbara »

I agree with the author, you can't expect something different and keep doing the same thing, it is insane.
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