Do Not Think Of It

FAQ

• What is this?

  It is a toy, not a game. One thing sits on the screen, and a caption flies around it and blinks: do not think of it. There is no timer and no score.

• Why is it hard to not think of something?

  It is the ironic-process effect. One part of the mind looks for the thought to make sure it is absent. That check brings the thought back. Daniel Wegner measured the effect in 1987.

• Can I win or lose?

  No. There is nothing to answer and nothing to score. The button gives you a different thing when you want one.

• Where do the things come from?

  They come from the same picture list the Memory game uses, so each thing is a simple object with a name in your own language.

• Can I print it as a worksheet?

  No. The caption has to move, and paper cannot move. The worksheet generator at /worksheets offers the games that print with no loss.

• Can MemPi help me study and practice this game?

  Yes! Click MemPi in the header or on the game board to summon him. He observes the board, thinks out loud, and can demonstrate moves or guide you through tricky steps.