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Identity & Behavior Paradoxes

  • Ship of Theseus - If you replace every plank of a ship one by one, is the final ship the same ship? What if you build ...

  • Abilene Paradox - A group collectively decides on something no individual member actually wants, because everyone assu...

  • Stockdale Paradox - You must maintain unwavering faith you will prevail AND confront the brutal facts of your reality. P...

  • Triangle Dissection Paradox - Cut a triangle into pieces and rearrange them into the "same" shape - but with an extra square! Wher...

  • Meat Paradox - People claim to care about animals yet continue eating meat....

  • Ironic Process Theory - Trying NOT to think about something makes you think about it more....

  • Sad Clown Paradox - Comedians often suffer from depression despite making others happy....

  • Solomon's Paradox - People give wiser advice to others than they take themselves....

  • Paradox of Suspense - We feel suspense watching familiar stories even knowing the outcome....

  • Self-Absorption Paradox - High self-awareness correlates with both distress AND well-being....

  • Motivation Crowding - External rewards can reduce intrinsic motivation...

  • Fredkin's Paradox - The more similar two choices, the longer we take to decide despite mattering less....

  • Tritone Paradox - Same musical tones heard as ascending by some, descending by others....

  • Second Wind Paradox - Sleep-deprived people can suddenly feel more awake....

  • Exercise Paradox - Active hunter-gatherers burn similar calories as sedentary office workers....