Are Our Minds Playing Tricks On Us?

Take out a pen and write down the name of your favorite fast food chicken place that isn’t open on Sundays. Now, take out your smartphone and try to type it into the body of a text message. How is it spelled? Is the auto-correct version on your phone the same as what you wrote down?

Assuming you chose Chick-fil-A (since it is the only one I know of that fits the earlier description), it brings about an interesting concept that routinely occurs for people. Apparently, research has found the majority of people think the store is or at one time was spelled “Chic-fil-A or Chik-fil-A.” In reality, is has always been spelled Chick-fil-A.

This phenomenon is one of many false memories that fall under something called “The Mandela Effect,” which was named for a reoccurrence of people wrongly having a recollection of watching Nelson Mandela’s funeral on television after he died in prison. Mandela, in reality, was in prison during the 1980’s and didn’t die until 2013. It had been decades since he was in prison, however.

I was listening to a national sports talk radio host this past week – Bill Reiter from CBS Sports, for those who are interested – and he brought up the psychological phenomenon as part of a discussion on the song, “We Are the Champions,” by Queen. Many people who sing the song typically croon a phrase at the end of the song – “of the world” – that actually doesn’t exist. The song ends with the phrase, “We are the champions.” That’s it.

Other “incidents” that fall under this include people consistently confusing the spelling of the Berenstain Bears (not Berenstein), Froot Loops (not Fruit Loops) and Oscar Mayer weiners (not Oscar Meyer). Even Star Wars fans get some attention as this phenomenon includes the often repeated phrase, “Luke, I am your father,” which was never actually said (Darth Vader said, “No, I am your father” instead). Common recollections of C-3PO are of a droid that is all gold or gold-plated, but in reality the character has a silver right leg. Look it up.

In looking up more about these common happenings, it turns out there is a website (www.mandelaeffect.com) that actually talks about a possibility of a link between the recent Las Vegas shooting, the Steve Harvey mistaken announcement during a beauty pageant and the explosion of a Russian spaceship in outer space.

It’s focused on a series of unique happenings that definitely makes you think. I’m not one to lean toward conspiracy theories or even common events being linked, but it was intriguing to learn about.

Some of the other examples included whether or not Curious George had a tail (he didn’t), if Pikachu had a black mark on its tail (no) or if the Monopoly guy had a monocle (he didn’t). People commonly remember it one way but reality insists it is something completely different.

As part of the theories, some have gone so far as to believe there could be some mirror universe that we experience at the same time, causing us to have jumbled up memories. There are definitely some out there wearing the tin foil hats that are more than eager to believe there is an alternative universe that exists.

I’m not sure I’m buying it, but it is definitely something worth reading more about. And who knows, maybe one day we will have a better explanation as to why we think Hannibal Lecter of “Silence of the Lambs” said “Hello, Clarice” when he simply said “Good morning.” Strange, huh?

Don't Like the Lyrics? Change It!

One of the common complaints I hear from people in my generation and the older generations is that music lyrics have gotten completely out of hand. Yes, you can go to YouTube, pick a random song and, sure enough, you will find enough cuss words to make a sailor blush. There is no denying song lyrics aren’t exactly showing off the literacy skills of today’s youth.

But the thing is, song lyrics haven’t really changed that much during my lifetime. I remember when I was listening to rap during my teen years (anyone remember Two Live Crew?), and those lyrics don’t seem all that much different than what I hear now. I can recall hearing Guns and Roses song lyrics and their drug and sex references as a teenager and thinking this was the new direction of music. But lyrics haven’t really changed much since then.

Just the other day, I heard a couple of songs from my youth that helped reinforce that thought. First was Manfred Mann’s “Blinded by the Light” and it’s infamous “wrapped up like a deuce” lyric that often gets confused with a common feminine hygiene product. Knowing the lyrics as I do now, I listened more intently and it did sound like “deuce” the first time they sang it. Then, as they repeated the lyric more and more, it had more of a slur to it and sounded more like it had the “sh” sound at the end. I’m not one to question motives in song lyrics, but they had to have one. And if you listen to the other lyrics, you can definitely see that this band will use unusual lyrics.

A second song that came up that day was “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” by Power Station (which was a cover from the original 1971 song). With chorus lyrics of “You’re dirty sweet, and you’re my girl; bang a gong, get it on, bang a gong,” it occurred to me this was more than just a catchy tune. It was a tribute to sex, short and direct.

I can remember other subtle but clearly sexually suggestive songs like “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band that maybe didn’t use profanity but clearly took our minds to a better place than the office cubicle. You know it puts a smile on your face when you hear it!

And who can forget all the "devil-worshipping music" from the 1980's? I remember being told Def Leppard was among those groups that would cause me to join the dark side. Listening to that music as an adult, all I hear is a group caught between glam, rock 'n' roll and pop. I definitely didn't hear a link to the underworld and all its unholiness. 

Even beyond the lyrics, we have been getting shocked by musical artists for decades. Remember Madonna’s "Papa Don’t Preach" message? Yeah, you would think the abortion aspect of that hit song wouldn’t seem to be such a big deal nowadays but it still resonates even today.

I have no doubt that some songs and maybe even some music types tend to have more profanity and negative messages than what we are used to, but artists have been crooning about hooking up with their lady or someone unbeknownst to their lady for decades. As I have always said, if you don’t like the sound or sight of something, we live in a country where you get to change the station or turn it off. But, to me, it really isn’t that bad, or at least any worse than it was during my youthful years.

Time To Run These Red Lights

Central Oklahoma has a traffic problem.

Sure, it seems like we have really congested traffic at certain times of day, but the truth is we don’t actually have the traffic jams people experience on a daily basis in places like Houston or Atlanta. The traffic may seem unbearable but it could be worse.

What makes Oklahoma unique is the incompetence we endure from our traffic light operators. Dealing with traffic can be tough enough without having incompetent people making decisions that determine the negative outcome of our day.

Take Edmond for example. As someone who went to school there, lived there and worked there, I know Edmond really well. And because of the lights, I know it better than I should. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I have driven through neighborhoods just to avoid having to sit at a light for three or four minutes (and for trains that park in the middle of the road too, but that is a story for another day).

The other day, I found myself driving up as one of the first cars at a red light traveling south on Broadway at the intersection at South Ave. A store is to the west and a neighborhood is to the east. I timed it at four and a half minutes I waited in the turn lane before I finally had a chance to move.

Edmond is notorious for having poorly timed light operations (ever been to 33^rd and Broadway?) but it isn’t alone. Oklahoma City has pockets where you can be the only car sitting there, yet have no chance of an immediate light change. Why are we setting timers on lights that don’t have enough traffic to warrant them?

Yukon and Norman are other cities I have visited frequently that has lights that just don’t seem to match up with the routine traffic patterns that cross them.

Probably the biggest problem is when I hit a red light and I know the next series of red lights are going to be mine as well. Prove me wrong – I’ve experienced this way too many times.

We have a problem and it is a human one. And it is time we stand up and fix it. I’m not sure if it is laziness or a wanton disregard for using what seems to work in other cities. But it needs to change.

Sure, the  never-ending road construction and the texting while driving epidemic don't help but those are minor compared to what we deal with at our intersections.

Maybe you are fine with showing up late wherever you go. Just blame it on the red lights or the trains. But how many times do you get to use that same excuse before it wears thin? Do you really want to find out?

Heisman Hopefuls: My Early Season List

The college football season is already into the conference season, which can only mean one thing – it is time to start announcing our Heisman watch lists.

Sure, it may seem a little early, but considering that last year’s winner – Lamar Jackson of Louisville – pretty much won it based on the first half of the season, I think we can get off to a quick start.

I’m sure many of you will think I am going to go the homer route with my frontrunner but honestly the best player I’ve seen thus far has been Penn State’s Saquon Barkley. I put him as the top guy reluctantly, however, because he has surpassed 100 yards rushing only twice in his five games. He does have 27 catches and two touchdowns receiving along with a kickoff return touchdown. But Penn State has yet to play anyone and it is likely those numbers won’t look as great in a few weeks.

This is one of those eye test decisions (he looks great but his numbers could look better). Barkley’s highlight reel is way more impressive than anyone else’s thus far, but his numbers have to improve. Plus, I’m still not giving a free pass to anyone who made a decision to attend the school Jerry Sandusky made infamous for all the wrong reasons.

Yes, Baker Mayfield is the number two guy on my list. He averages over 300 yards passing a game and has 13 touchdowns versus zero turnovers. He has been a leader on a top five team and he has a chance to really improve his numbers in a league that isn’t well known for defense. Yes, I’m an OU guy but he really is a Heisman contender, whether you hear it from me or from someone else.

Number three for me is a guy most of you probably haven’t heard about but soon will. Tailback Bryce Love of Stanford is just another in a long line of superstar ball carriers from this West Coast university. With an average of over 200 yards a game to go with his eight touchdowns, Love is definitely the feature guy on this team. Hurting his chances, however, are his team’s 3-2 record (including a loss to San Diego State) and the fact that he typically plays when many people have gone to bed.

My fourth guy is last year’s winner – Jackson. However, I am going to have a tough time removing the memory of him chasing stats against backup Clemson players in a blowout loss a couple of weeks ago. Jackson is a multi-talented player with 13 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns, but he was a letdown the one time he had the stage. Plus, it is important to note that he was not a Heisman player down the stretch last year. We’ll be watching him carefully.

I like Oklahoma State signal caller Mason Rudolph as my fifth guy. Yes, they lost a home game against TCU. Yes, they played a miserable non-conference schedule. But, his numbers have been good (over 300 yards in every game and six rushing touchdowns to go with his 16 passing touchdowns) and he will get to play against some questionable defenses during conference play. If OSU only has a couple of losses at the end of the season, everyone will forget about that home loss to the Horned Frogs.

Among the guys who aren’t likely to make the list are favorites Sam Darnell and Josh Rosen. Darnell, the quarterback at USC, has looked awful. Let the Jets or whoever finishes with the worst record take him with the first pick in the NFL draft – he is a high risk, high reward guy who is not having a good season. As for Rosen, the numbers look good but the loss to Memphis does not. Sorry, bro, don’t “at” me.

It is early so I’m sure we will see some movement on this list before all is said and done. But for now, we all have our favorites. These just happen to be mine.