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Apparently, itch is easier to induce by suggestion than pain.
Today I have been quite aware of my susceptibility to this itch nocebo, ever since the Pillow Fight. The effect is almost immediate when it comes to mind: I get itches in my legs, my back, my head. It would be interesting if a specific expectation led to a specific itch location, or if the knowledge that some insect bites can't be felt (because of anaesthetic) would neutralize the nocebo.
So around 3pm, I left the house and biked the 9km to Union Square. I was going to check out the pillow fight from outside, but I got sucked in. Saw 3 familiar groups of people independently: Julius (back from Antarctica!); Richard; and finally Sinead and Frank, who instructed me on borrowing a pillow from the donation area and going inside the fenced area (guarded by NYPD guys who only let you in if you had a pillow). Once inside, it bothered me that there were no layers of consent, and this briefly interfered with my good mood on 2 or 3 occasions, especially the one when someone knocked my camera out of my hands.
I personally did not feel at liberty to hit anyone unless they hit me first... and there was an interesting social dynamic: if someone hits you with no provocation, could it mean they think you're cute? On one hand, it is now acceptable to engage anyone you want... on the other hand, just because you can hit them with a pillow does it mean it's ok to start a conversation? Obviously the festive atmosphere and the taboo-breaking tends to lower inhibitions in general, but once the weird behavior becomes normalized, I'm not sure that socializing is any easier (for me it can get harder, since now people have short attention spans).
There was a really good band there (their sound reminded me of Maria in the Shower), and I made friendly acquaintance with some people from Madrid, studying Architecture at CUNY.
But really, am I the only person who thinks that this event might spread bedbugs? FREE HUGS! FREE BUGS! To be honest, I have no idea how budbugs spread and die out, or why NYC has it more than other touristy cities... but I would like to know. Anyway, arriving at home, I bagged my clothes and put them in the freezer.
Today I have been quite aware of my susceptibility to this itch nocebo, ever since the Pillow Fight. The effect is almost immediate when it comes to mind: I get itches in my legs, my back, my head. It would be interesting if a specific expectation led to a specific itch location, or if the knowledge that some insect bites can't be felt (because of anaesthetic) would neutralize the nocebo.
So around 3pm, I left the house and biked the 9km to Union Square. I was going to check out the pillow fight from outside, but I got sucked in. Saw 3 familiar groups of people independently: Julius (back from Antarctica!); Richard; and finally Sinead and Frank, who instructed me on borrowing a pillow from the donation area and going inside the fenced area (guarded by NYPD guys who only let you in if you had a pillow). Once inside, it bothered me that there were no layers of consent, and this briefly interfered with my good mood on 2 or 3 occasions, especially the one when someone knocked my camera out of my hands.
I personally did not feel at liberty to hit anyone unless they hit me first... and there was an interesting social dynamic: if someone hits you with no provocation, could it mean they think you're cute? On one hand, it is now acceptable to engage anyone you want... on the other hand, just because you can hit them with a pillow does it mean it's ok to start a conversation? Obviously the festive atmosphere and the taboo-breaking tends to lower inhibitions in general, but once the weird behavior becomes normalized, I'm not sure that socializing is any easier (for me it can get harder, since now people have short attention spans).
There was a really good band there (their sound reminded me of Maria in the Shower), and I made friendly acquaintance with some people from Madrid, studying Architecture at CUNY.
But really, am I the only person who thinks that this event might spread bedbugs? FREE HUGS! FREE BUGS! To be honest, I have no idea how budbugs spread and die out, or why NYC has it more than other touristy cities... but I would like to know. Anyway, arriving at home, I bagged my clothes and put them in the freezer.