Zero Sum

Moving Wrenches

"Move the wrench with your mind," his instructor told him.

"What? How do you expect me to do that?" The student pouted at his master.

"Move the wrench without touching it."

"But that's impossible!"

"Why do you think that way?"

"Well how can you expect me to move something without touching it?!"

"You misunderstand."

"No, I am pretty sure this would be impossible to any sane person."

"Allow me to clarify, you misunderstand what I am asking."

"I understand perfectly, you expect me to do the impossible."

"Let me clarify further, you misunderstand my question."

"Which question do you mean?"

"Why do you think that way?"

"Because you can't just create something from nothing, an action needs an equal and opposite reaction and all that!"

"If you will please, I propose an object lesson."

"By all means."

"First however, you must realize that you are limiting your thinking."

"Fine, anything else you want to criticize me on?"

"If you will, tell me, how do you move your arm."

"What you mean like this?" He raised his middle finger.

"To...a certain extent...yes."

"I dunno I just do, anyone can do this, it's biology I guess."

"More accurately, what must you do to move your arm?"

"Well I raise this finger high into the air and pickup my arm like this."

"Vulgarities aside, what must you do, even before doing that?"

"Listen to bullshit from you."

"Your anger is not helping."

"Well neither are you."

"And your mind is underdeveloped."

"Screw you."

"Allow me to rephrase, you need to relearn what you know about your own mind."

"Okay?"

"Once more, what must you do even before you raise your arm in that foul gesture?"

"I guess, I have to tighten my shoulder muscles? I dunno."

"Yes but even before that."

"Before that I am not moving."

"Well yes and no."

"Great, here we go again with the wiseass remarks."

"Your muscles may not be in motion, but what is happening within your body?"

"Well...I suppose...I have to get pissed off at you."

"Correct, in a manner of speaking."

"So if I get pissed off enough you're telling me I can move things with my mind?"

"I am trying to tell you that you are already moving things with your mind."

"You must be insane."

"What else, crude gestures aside, is happening in your body?"