That's a crappy definition of "insanity"

Every couple of weeks, I come across this rotten old chestnut: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Yeah? In whose dictionary?

A friend and loyal reader pointed out that it would probably be more accurate to say this: "The definition of persistence is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Let me give you an example. Let's say I walk up to 50 people and ask for $20. All 50 turn me down. Then I say, "Well, I guess I'll just have to keep asking." So, I ask another 49 people and get nowhere...but then, on person #100, I get lucky. A kindly older gentleman smiles at me and says, "It's your lucky day, kid. Here's $20. No questions asked."

So, in that scenario, I did the same thing over and over again, expected different results, AND GOT THEM. Who's insane now?

(This works with girls, too...it's a fine line between harassing a girl and wearing her down with persistence, but it's one I've become quite adept at walking.)

I'll give you another take on the same point: You might, in fact, be insane if you did the same thing over and over again and expected different results...but one would hardly consider that behavior the very definition of insanity. I mean, that behavior might--or might not--be a particular manifestation of insanity, but it's hardly the sine qua non of insanity.

The takeaway: It's time to give this particular definition of insanity a gold watch, wish it well, and show it the door. (As for the rest of you, back to work!)

Footnote: Mom, do you want to weigh in on this? (My mom is a psychologist.) Be warned that any disagreement will get you banned from the comment box, frozen out at family gatherings, and so on. 

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