[MD] Hoy stoves and those who sit on them

[Andre Broersen]

John:
The hot stove method of truth transferal is probably the oldest and most
common experience in human history.  It goes like this,  the infant wanders
near the hot stove and its mother warns it "Don't go near the stove, Johnny,
you'll get burned".

Almost inevitably though, Johhny, out of accident or curiousity
touches the hot stove and mother goes "see? I told you so."

Even though mothers are being protective in this situation, you can
hear a little satisfaction in their tones of comfort.

Andre:
Don't know about the last sentence John, but I do not agree with the
"out of accident or curiosity' bit.

Look carefully at the way you worded mom's warning: Don't go near the
stove, Johnny.. (I agree it is very common usage) but the brain
doesn't compute the 'don't'.

Let me give you an example: I ask you: 'Don't think of a red balloon".
What have you done? To make sense of that instruction you first have
to think of a red ballon and then go "oops, not supposed to think of
that!'

Same with Johnny. Mom in fact tells him to go near the stove!
Poor Johnny.

There are numerous examples of course. One more variant: 'I don't
think that is right'  does not make sense. What you mean is "I think
you are wrong'.

Cheers
Andre, the neurolinguistic programmer.