Categories
personal

There’s a difference between Possible and Probable

Sherlock Holmes said, “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” But there’s a vast difference between possible and probable.

Some people I know can’t tell the difference


I’m sick again. Spent the weekend essentially lying around my pad. My buddy Gio and one of my wrassln coaches came by before I hit bottom.

B the time my brother came by from California again, couldn’t get out of the house to hang with him.

Did manage to get some work done and also follow up with some friends via email. What I’m noticing about people as they get older is that they’re having a harder and harder time distinguishing the difference between possible and probable.

I learned it early on with my geeky love of all things Sherlock Holmes in The Sign of the Four when he said, [W]hen you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

Unfortunately, people I know mix up probability and possibility all the time.

  • A woman whose property I manage is concerned that her microwave is irradiating her.
  • A friend refuses to just explain something via email because … “hackers.”
  • An acquaintance is certain that there is a global conspiracy by America to take over the world.

It goes on. All are possible, but hardly probable.

There was a time when I’d argue for ages for people to see the difference but at some point, these beliefs become so ingrained that they’re impossible to change.

We always think when they’re young, Oh he’ll grow outta that. But that’s rarely true. Young, broken people grow up to be old, broken people.

The thing is, I’ve known these people for years and have seen them go farther and farther off.

At this point, it’s best to let them stay in their world and I stay in mine.

Location: sick in bed
Mood: sick
Music: I can hear the sounds of violins, long before it begins
Subscribe!
Like this post? Tell someone about it by clicking a button below.

2 replies on “There’s a difference between Possible and Probable”

“A woman… is concerned that her microwave is irradiating her.” Thank you. I love a good belly laugh before bed.

Leave a Reply to AlexCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.