Last month I decided to pay a visit to my friend Dr. Placebo in his clinic. It was a Friday and for some strange reason people are too happy to fall sick on a Friday. So it was a relatively less busy day for my doctor friend. For that matter it should be easy for you to guess the busiest day of the week for him – Monday of course. đ
I wasnât sick as such but I like to catch up with Dr. Placebo once in awhile. In the past he has helped me in thinking about important mental models including Do Something Bias [1] and Mean Reversion [2]. So I was hoping that a chit chat with him will again nudge me to some fresh insights. I wasnât wrong.
âSo doc! Tell me something ironical about your profession?â, I asked him thinking that a question like that could lead the conversation to an interesting direction.
âThe biggest irony of being a physician is that many people donât really need doctorâs help. Many a times, my prescription is effective because people believe in them. Their belief in my treatment is what cures them. You see your doctor and you feel better.â
He continued, âSometimes just the fact that a doctor or nurse is paying attention to us and reassuring us not only makes us feel better but also triggers our internal healing processes. In many cases they would benefit just by popping a sugar pill. And itâs a proven fact also known as Placebo Effect.â
âI see. That kind of explains your strange name.â, I winked thinking that he wouldnât mind a friendly tease.
âDonât get me started on the origins of my name. But you should read about Pavlovian Conditioning. Now if you please excuse me, I have to leave now. Itâs Friday and I have plans.â, saying this he got up from his chair and started leaving.
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