Frogs are poikilothermic. This basically means that their body temperature varies depending on the temperature of their environment.
The term used to mean ‘cold-blooded’ but technically that is incorrect. It simply means that unlike ‘warm-blooded’ animals, they have no homeostatic mechanism for maintaining an even body temperature regardless of the environment. They don’t have an internal thermostat like mammals do.
The myth goes something like this: if you put a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will do its darndest to get out. But if you put a frog in a pot of cold water and slowly heat up the water, it won’t notice when it reaches boiling point and won’t try to get out, thereby dying.
The expression has been used countless times in countless situations to illustrate how people have difficulty coping with or reacting to change, especially when that change is gradual over time.
Unfortunately, Dr. Karl S. Kruszelnicki has happily debunked this myth, so it can no longer be legitimately used for various illustrations of behavior. Pity about that – it’s a shame to ruin a good illustration!
Accepting language
Just one example of the principle of this ‘myth’ is the acceptance of offensive language. It can be catching unless you nip it in the bud very early.
You know the situation: a new workmate comes into your sphere of influence. They seem to use a choice swear word in every sentence – it seems that they can’t express themselves without using a rude or crude adjective.
You find it offensive and unnecessary. What do you do?
Ignoring it, you might get so used to the language that it no longer affects you, and you may start to believe that it’s normal to use those words – you’re the frog in water. Because, of course, you don’t want to offend that person, you want them to think that you do like them.
Or you may use your God-given discernment and speak the truth in love – telling them that the language makes you uncomfortable and would they please refrain from using it in your space?
Accepting attitudes
Occasionally I would listen to Question Time in Parliament to try and get a handle on political issues in our country. But I don’t do that anymore.
It seems to me that our politicians aptly illustrate this principle! Someone can’t rebut an argument without being rude about the person who made it. It seems common place to vilify a person when you simply don’t agree with their point of view.
The good old teenager justification for this seems to be “but everybody’s doing it”! Your policy or your proposal can’t seem to stand alone to be considered on its merits without you being rude about the opposition. Even some of the more mature members of parliament have succumbed to this tactic.
Such bad behavior is unworthy of people who have been elected to represent the ordinary people. The rude people are still role models – just poor ones.
Accepting violence
A lot has been written about the effect (warning – gruesome images shown in the video) of violent or pornographic video games or movies, with some ‘experts’ being unwilling to make a connection between watching and behaving.
But desensitization is a thing. If you are exposed to something long enough, you will start to accept it and no longer be repulsed by it. You may even indulge in it yourself.
Violence against women is another example, although there are many factors involved in this.
Ask yourself
When teaching, it might be about this stage in a lesson that I would ask the class to consider examples they know of in their lives: at school, in their families, in their sports clubs or wherever they hang out.
Then I might ask “What can we each do about this – not to become like the frog in boiling water, accepting a change because it’s so gradual we don’t notice that it’s happening?”
We can all recognize wrong thinking and speaking when it suddenly happens and takes us by surprise. But we can also become desensitized to it if it happens gradually, a little bit at a time, to a point where we don’t really notice it anymore.
Our internal thermostat
Let us set our internal thermostat to God’s Word! We all need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans Chapter 12, verse 2. I like the way The Passion Translation expresses this: Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
Philippians Chapter 4, verse 8 sums this up beautifully (again from the Passion Translation): So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.
We need to be alert and to be thinking clearly, so we can respond in a manner that glorifies the Lord, not getting sucked in to the way the world often responds!
Aira Chilcott is a retired secondary school teacher with lots of science and theology under her belt. Aira is a panellist for Young Writers and indulges in reading, bushwalking, volunteering at a nature reserve and learning to play clarinet. Aira is married to Bill and they have three adult sons.
AiraChilcott's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/aira-chilcott.html
Aira Chilcott is a retired secondary school teacher with lots of science andtheology under her belt. Aira is an editor for PSI and indulges inreading, bushwalking and volunteering at a nature reserve. Aira’s husband Bill passed away in 2022 and she is left with three wonderful adult sons and one grandson.
Aira Chilcott's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/aira-chilcott.html
