that's what is called an experimental control.  It's the difference between what you have and what you would have if you did nothing.  What you have if you do nothing is the "control" condition. 

Ah control.  What a pleasant sounding word.  In a group of people that grew up around each other then parted company after high school, it is important to have some sort of control or measuring stick.  Or is it?  What may be most important is devising a measure by which you are #1, at least to ourselves, in private sometimes maybe even unconsciously measuring and comparing regardless of how hard you try not to do so.

That must be the scientist I have become after college, social science of charts and statistics. Control what?  No self control.  "No will whatsoever."  (Down down the rabbitt hole.)  The difference between what you want and what you need....  How does one judge some one with compassion and fairness when everyone is so economically heterogeneous a word that sounds erogenous to some, their are such striking but subtle differences among everyone that is it all but impossible to base a true control.  Think of how to construct a natural social science experiment rather that just practisig the "snapshot in time" statistically.  How to develop an ethical social science experiememt in the Shreveport area.  (There's the rub.)

 I feel like I am part of a failing data base project at work.  Damned thing just is slow to refresh.   Or I am too tired to work it, or both most likely.  Haven't had time to watch movies lately, but this seems like a probable one True Grit for viewing soon.  I wonder if it is on redbox yet?  Oh well I have really lost the thread of control now.  Had to do with a diverse group of compatriots young and old gathering after thirty years or so.  We remembered the time we all dressed like birds and swore we could live forever.  I feel like I have already lived that long 2 lives or more.  I am just weird I guess.  Looking for control in knowing:  how did I get here?  Where is my great big car?  Where is my beautiful wife?!  My God!  What have I done!" (David Byrne sort of if you know the song....)

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