When Two Wrongs Interact
- Dan Thomas
- Nov 7, 2020
- 3 min read

I woke up today to a text message from a friend of mine in which he did the math that (-W = wrong assigning it a negative value, considering a right value would be positive then the wrong would have a (-) sign automatically) -W x -W = W, therefore mathematically two wrongs make a right. I responded that yes, two wrongs can make a right, but not always. Considering that if you take -W - (-W) than it would = O. Or if you took -W +(-W) than it would = -2W ( or if you prefer sometimes two wrongs would neutralize sometimes and also get worse and double in consequence or severity, other times). Well from this point, the philosophical aspects start to come to light. I think the deeper questions philosophically and mathematically should be “How much intent and passion is required to turn that meeting of wrongs, into a positive?” two wrongs undefined(or let’s say half-assed or not completely done with maximum effort) intensity cause issues in the situation, and still get stuck in the muck of negativity. But if the wrong is possibly intense enough, or passionately and honestly acted on, then there’s a chance the results lead to such a significant adjustment to one’s life, that it ends up being the very catalyst one needed for growth and change, and a better life situation. when you look at the case of peoples lives where they are often stuck in a cycle for a long period of time, it’s not until something big or significant enough happens in their life, that is needed as the catalyst of change. In the long run, the wrongs needed to happen, and end up making a bigger right (or the foundational steps of) for a happier future. Sometimes if the thunder-clap isn't loud enough, we often don’t get up to move from our spot(or the stuck feeling or places) in our lives. Sometimes it takes an almost cataclysmic event to be a force strong enough, to be that which we needed to finally make a long-term choice that we’ve been putting off. And finally take the steps necessary to improve our lives. It’s as if the universe and the math show that one can’t be half in; half out. that part of the reason we get stuck in these cycles and spots we don't wish ot be in is that we aren't committing to our actions completely. I think what I';m getting at is, a wrong done intentionally but not in sync with your actual convictions(so you aren't committing it as passionately or as legitimately as you could) leaves you in an almost limbo type state; the metaphorical "murky water" state. I think when the wrongs are significant enough, without any hesitation or holding back, they have a fire to them significant enough to shake the foundation of your comfort and lead to big changes like when the forest burns from natural fires and then grows again, so too a beautiful beginning rises from the ashes of the previous situations. We see too often, you and I, or someone we know is in a "not happy, but happy enough not to change it' kind of state, and just accepts it. A wrong and a wrong added together makes more trouble, but a wrong multiplied by a wrong can turn into a positive. If you look at how high interval training works on the bodies ability to burn calories vs walking, high interval intensity training will have you burning calories for an hr-ish even after you stop working out, as with walking you stop burning calories right after you stop; your body immediately goes back to how it was pre-calorie burning, where the heavy high intensity interval training was significant enough to keep a change happening even after the exercise has stopped. a wrong done in conviction with another wrong of similar intensity can be the thing needed for change to occur. I feel this applies with hobbies, work, relationships, and the biggest opponent of them all; ourselves. We need to be honest with ourselves. The universe wants to achieve a state of balance; everything has an equal and opposite reaction. Half-ass an action, get a half-ass reaction. A fighter thinks he can win, so he eventually does. It's like that scene from Batman Rises, where he's trying to get out of the pit, attached to the harness and fails repeatedly. and only when he removes the harness (and his safety) is he able to truly take and make the leap across and succeed. as Literal is that is, the metaphor applies to everything, including when committing a "wrong".
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