2 + 2=5

I first published this in 2008, without a "Word History," which I have now added. 8-4-21 I made a small addition and also the large "2+2=5" at the bottom.

Having our beliefs tested, especially our long held beliefs, can be too much for some people; although I suppose all of us fall into this category at times. I call it "2 + 2= 5."

Randy: "Did you know that 2 + 2= 5?"

Other: "No Randy, 2 + 2= 4!"

Randy: "Nope, can't be! It equals 5!"

Other: "Look, if you have 1 +1 +1 +1, that equals four."

Randy: "I still say it's five, and that's final! That's what I believe, and I'll NEVER change!!!

Other: "But Randy, the rules of arithmetic and logic defy what you're saying."
Randy: "Oh logic, smodgic. I say the answer is five and it's not fair that the only point of view that gets talked about is the one that says it's 4, that's not fair! How can you have a free country if my point of view isn't given equal billing?"

Changing our long held beliefs can really get to us. It can be downright painful to our psyche! The older we get, the tougher it can be to change. We get set in our ways and beliefs. It gets to a point where, in reality, we don't want to know things that go contrary to our beliefs, no matter how logical or how much sense they make to others, or even to us, deep down inside. So we cling to our beliefs, like they are our teddy bear, a bit of security to our minds. But, all the while, the other point of view keeps eating at us, no matter how much we try to deny it. The thing is, will we finally come to terms with other points of view and give credit where credit is due? Or will we continue to insist that 2 + 2= 5?

Hey! Where's my teddy bear?

2 + 2 = 5

WORD HISTORY:
Plus-This word goes back to the Indo European root "ple/pel," which had the meaning "fill," which produced "pleios," which meant "many, much, abundant, full." This gave its Italic/Latin offspring "plous," which then spawned "plus," which meant "more." It was borrowed into English in the second half of the 1500s, where the meaning "more" took on the mathematical meaning "add on, in addition."