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From: Zunt@aol.com

Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 11:29:41 EST

Subject: Re: [AIR-L] Why is F2F compelling?

Steve et al,

Daniel Gilbert at Harvard is a social psychologist interested in formation
and modification of beliefs, among other things. I don’t have references
within arm’s reach, but I think he might have written something about that in
the most recent edition of the Handbook of Social Psychology. I remember in
a seminar we talked at some length about the non-linear relationship between
(a) the quantity of evidence that supports a particular proposition and (b)
the strength of belief one might have in that proposition. But then, once a
proposition is believed, there comes the problem of the manner by which one
might eventually come to *dis*believe it. Interesting stuff (to me, at
least)…might be relevant to this thread, because just as you mention there
can be suspension of belief, I’d suggest there’s a corresponding notion of
suspension of disbelief.

Cheers,

Bob Briggs