94 A Programmer’s Guide to the Mind
reopen them when the room darkens again with shadows of Perceiver
confusion.
Good and Bad, Right and Wrong
The fact that Perceiver strategy is aware of both Perceiver and Mercy
memories also has an effect upon Perceiver labeling. Remember that
Mercy experiences are identified with emotions, whereas Perceiver facts
acquire labels of confidence. If Perceiver mode can see both the Perceiver
facts within its own room, and the related Mercy experiences in the room
next door, this means that all Perceiver facts can become associated with
two labels, one a label of confidence from Perceiver thought, and the other
a label of emotion from Mercy strategy.
Let us compare these two types of labels. The first one is direct: Every
Perceiver fact receives a label of „right‟ or „wrong‟ based upon Perceiver
confidence. The second label is indirect: Every Perceiver fact acquires a
label of „good‟ or „bad‟ depending upon the Mercy feelings associated with
the Mercy experiences which are tied together by this Perceiver fact. In
other words, if Perceiver strategy looks down at the facts themselves, it
sees labels of „right‟ and „wrong‟—a way of measuring connections. On
the other hand, if it lifts its head and peers at the Mercy experiences
moving by the window, in the room next door, it sees labels of „good‟ and
„bad,‟ determined by Mercy emotion.
Perceiver thought is aware of two types of labels:
It can see Perceiver facts and their labels of right or wrong.
It can see Mercy experiences and their labels of good and bad.
Perceiver strategy finds it easy to confuse these two types of labels.I suggest that it is very easy to mix these two sets of labels—to confuse
„right‟ and „wrong‟ with „good‟ and „bad.‟ While „good‟ is often „right‟
and „bad‟ is generally „wrong,‟ it is not that difficult to find situations in
which these two methods of labeling are completely opposed. For example,
suppose that a teacher tells his students, “There will be a surprise
examination in class today.” Being acquainted with the habits of the
instructor, Perceiver strategy in the students will know that this fact is right.
But if they have not studied, then this „right‟ fact will also be very bad.
It can also work the other way. Consider the statement, “I have won a
million dollars in the lottery.” This fact is good. But it is only possible that
it is right if I have bought a lottery ticket. Otherwise it is obviously wrong,
and believing it to be right would only be wishful thinking. Businesses
such as lotteries depend upon our confusing „good‟ with „right.‟ They
make their money assuming that if they come up with a fact which is
sufficiently good, people will think that it is „right‟ and plunk down their
hard earned cash. Similarly, most governments have learned by now that