The Software Developer's Career Handbook

Chapter 15. Knee Jerks

There was a fight on the roller hockey rink this morning. Anaheim bumped into Philadelphia at speed, and Philly didn’t like that, so he elbowed Anaheim in the chest—hard. Anaheim pushed back, shoving Philly into the goal, where he tripped and fell. Swearing, more shoving, and then we spent the next five minutes keeping them separated.

This hockey rink is a remnant of the first internet bubble. Built by Netscape, the rink has held a game every Saturday since 1998. A majority of the folks who show up know each other, so the game is mellow. Finesse, not fighting. A fight is an unusual once-a-year thing.

When Philly, who I believed was at fault for this whole situation, got the bench, someone asked him what had happened. His answer: “Anaheim ran into me, and I protected myself.”

One-Eighth of a Second

I want you to think of the last time you were surprised. Good, bad, I don’t care. When was the last time you were really surprised? Got it? OK, now think about the first thing you thought about the surprise. I don’t want to know how you eventually handled it; I want you to think about your instantaneous first reaction.

How do you react when you’re surprised? Is this how you always react when a surprise lands? My guess is yes.

On the hockey rink, Philadelphia puts up his shields when he’s surprised. It’s a natural reaction, protecting yourself, but what’s interesting isn’t Philly’s very sensible reaction to the perception of being attacked; it’s everyone else’s ...