# Hal to Bill P. on predictability (cont.)

**URL:** <http://discourse.iapct.org/t/hal-to-bill-p-on-predictability-cont/5011>\
**Category:** CSG1993\
**Created:** [October 6, 1993, 7:55pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/hal-to-bill-p-on-predictability-cont/5011 "1993-10-06T19:55:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PEPINSKY\_Hal\_Crimina](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PEPINSKY\_Hal\_Crimina](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/PEPINSKY_Hal_Crimina)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 1993, 7:55pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/hal-to-bill-p-on-predictability-cont/5011/1 "1993-10-06T19:55:45Z")

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My theory says the components must be a surprise to affirm that we  
have the power to learn what we do not already know and are extending  
the diversity to which we accommodate. In my theory, getting expected  
responses from someone (like compliance) raises alarm in the observer  
(would-be controller) as much as confronting those who continue on  
their own agenda independently of one's input. One way we feel the  
alarm is as anxiety that if we let go of our control over the other,  
or if the other eventually finds a way out of behaving as we predict,  
we will lose what little sense of control we have. Controlling the  
predictable is, to draw from Karl Popper, like climbing an endless  
mountain, getting tired, knowing you might fall all the way down as  
soon as you let go. Another manifestation of predictable control is  
known as co-dependency--not a secure way to live. l&p hal