The Tooth Fairy was the first myth I realized was false- figuring this out was easy. Like the fifth tooth I lost I didn’t tell anyone and put it under my pillow. I woke up the next day and it was still there. Then I told my parents and the next night, found money. I then pretended I still believe in the Tooth Fairy until the rest of my teeth came out.
I’m impressed and envious- that attitude, rather than any amount of memorized facts, is the sign of a scientific prodigy.
I then pretended I still believe in the Tooth Fairy until the rest of my teeth came out.
is how you get tenure.
But in humility I think my teeth started coming out a fair bit later than most children’s do. And I don’t know how conscious I was of what I was doing. I’m not sure the thought process was as complicated as “I know, I’ll keep it a secret from my parents, who I suspect of being the tooth fairy, and if there is no money I’ll see what happens if I do tell them.” It may just have been hard to get excited about announcing I lost another tooth after already having done it 4 times before.
I’m impressed and envious- that attitude, rather than any amount of memorized facts, is the sign of a scientific prodigy.
Unfortunately this attitude
is how you get tenure.
But in humility I think my teeth started coming out a fair bit later than most children’s do. And I don’t know how conscious I was of what I was doing. I’m not sure the thought process was as complicated as “I know, I’ll keep it a secret from my parents, who I suspect of being the tooth fairy, and if there is no money I’ll see what happens if I do tell them.” It may just have been hard to get excited about announcing I lost another tooth after already having done it 4 times before.