Opinions Reverse Psychology Doesn't Work: Don't You Dare Try It Tain W. Reeve L this world where we are consistently bombarded with each other’s opinions in the form of newspaper editorials, talk radio shows, user generated reviews, and blogs, the art of convincing people that your views are essential, inalienable truth is paramount. A variety of strategies are available for us to use to convince others of our view. We can make straightforward arguments, where a basic thesis is supported by evidence which proves our view— often to the exclusion of all others. Also, we can tell personal stories of others or ourselves in hopes of causing people to be emotionally drawn to our beliefs. While these strategies are effective and have changed many an opinion over the years, there is one strategy which will always be doomed to failure and should never be employed: reverse psychology. Reverse psychology is the process of advocating a particular position in hopes that it will drive the listener/reader to adopt the opposite position. This would include telling children about how boring the pool is in hopes that they will challenge you and finally try swimming, or telling the American government that they should just give up on finding Osama bin Laden because he’s probably too smart for them anyway. There are also physical examples, often used in comedy. These include a sign that tells people not to, under any circumstances, look behind the purple curtain, or an enormous red button that says “do not push.” Now some of these ideas may seem tempting. They may have you wanting to jump right on the reverse psychology train heading backwards to nowhere. However let me assure you that people are, by and large too smart to fall for such belittling trickery. Surely the child in the first example knows full well that swimming is dangerous and boring and will thus would prefer to read a book or sit idly in a chair. And indeed, what person would be so a slave to their curiosity as to push a shiny, attractive red button which is clearly forbidden by the accompanying signage? No one of intelligence I say! Some would insist that reverse psychology works well on children. While children are prone to acts of ignorance and pig-headedness, even growing minds are keen enough to know when they are being targeted by reverse psychology. If you were to give a child a choice between two candies— one of which you preferred and wanted for yourself—and you told them that the good candy “was totally gross and only losers eat it” the child would clearly see through your ruse and choose that yummy candy for themselves Ultimately, it would be foolish to ever employ this method. You stand to embarrass yourself in front of friends and family by using it. In fact, the only people likely to fall for reverse psychology are those foolish enough to use it. The inherent sarcasm and underhandedness of the method leads the Other Press to implore our readers to follow our example: never use reverse psychology! Take the high road of tried and true thesis/evidence arguments and you will never falter. Mature Students Are Useful to us All Sunny Side Up Sunny Park ea while strolling about campus in my knee-high kinky boots, I happened to notice many older folks. I sat down, carefully crossed my soft young legs, and thought that this was yet another difference between Canada and my home country of Korea. I did some informal research about this subject. My research involved learning a bit about the glory days of Elvis, the glorious 50s. In 1950s North America a university education was not something that most people felt that they needed. They could get the jobs that they wanted and live the lifestyle they desired with only a high school I like older guys that have lots of money and can buy me many pairs of knee-high boots education. In the 21st century, times have changed for North Americans. Jobs are far less secure, and lifelong learning is a condition of employment. As this is the case, mature students are entering post-secondary education in ever-increasing numbers. Seeing hot young students is one reason why older folks like to attend university, but there are many other advantages for older students in university. Because of their age, these people have had a great amount of life experience. Some of them have had bosses who have treated them poorly, some have been married and divorced, and some of them have had their friends betray them in money matters. With this wealth of life experience, they can become important contributors to group projects in university. They can foresee potential pitfalls that younger students, with their lack of life experience, cannot. In this way, older students can be valuable class members. So, why is having older people as classmates beneficial to the post secondary institution? Well, one reason I like the older guys is that they have lots of money and can buy me many pairs of knee-high boots, as well as other fun things. I like the older students in my classes because they know exactly what they want to do. It stimulates younger people to study with greater effort. They help each other, and can achieve a good result. In this learning environment, it is a for certain fact that young people can improve their scholastic abilities. In addition, not only do older people help younger people to study, but also younger people can help encourage and stimulate the older ones. Older people want to learn new ideas, therefore young people’s enthusiasm and energy can help inspire older people. Between younger people and older people, both benefit from the relationship. In conclusion, having older people in the university is beneficial to everybody. It helps older people to keep their careers and learning exciting, while at the same time, providing life experience to help younger students. Finally, the older students are role models for the younger students, showing them the possibility of life-long learning. And don’t forget, they can also buy us young people dinner, do our laundry, and drive us places in their fancy cars.