Observations & Deductions
- Raven
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Learning how to observe your surroundings is a useful skill that we often overlook, unless we’re watching a Sherlock Holmes tv show or something based on Sherlock Holmes. The best thing is that anyone can learn this particular skill. Also, you can practice this skill as often as you like without disturbing people. Of course, the more you practice this skill, the faster you will become.
Observing is the act of seeing and acknowledging what is around us. It sounds simple, but we often add in our own presumptions. Doing this can lead to false observations such as seeing a red-haired woman and assuming her eyes are green. Why do we observe? To make proper deductions with straight facts.
How to Observe People
Look at people and take note of:
Appearance
Notable markings
Stains, splashes, dirt/debris, etc
Identifying tells, subconscious movements, etc
What type of clothing are they wearing? Is it cheap and mass produced, or brand name, or high end, or tailored? Do they have scars? Do they have tattoos? Is there meaning or a deduced history to them? Do they have any stains, splashes, dirt/debris, or other things upon their person? What does that tell us?
Start simple. Take small steps into deeper dives. Never assume anything, only go by what you observe.
How to Observe Your Surroundings
Keep notes on the environment around you. This takes a great deal of active observational power since you should practice this day after day in order to get better and faster. Let's say that you want to practice every morning on your walk to the office. If you use stairs, how many steps are there? If you pass by paintings, how many and of what? Is there any graffiti? Are there light fixtures? What style of architecture is around you? Is there a chip in the pavement or a loose floor board? What color is the fire hydrant? Are there people that you pass every day? What smells do you encounter?
The more you observe your surroundings, the faster you will begin noticing any changes. This will also help any real life superhero out in the field if they have been practicing. They will be more apt to notice their surroundings and gather data.
The following is a clip from "Shaun of The Dead" showing a very non-observant person.
How to Deduce
Observe a person.
What do the observational factors tell you?
Do you observe anything that has a missing factor? (A person with a dry upper body and no raincoat, but damp pant legs may indicate the use of an umbrella in the rain. Is the umbrella present?)
Consider psychological and sociological factors.
There should be sound logic to every deduction made.
If you watched the clip, you’ll see Sherlock and Mycroft playing a game of “deductions”. You can do this too.
Deductions - Solo
Go somewhere public like a cafe or bookstore where people move at a slower pace. Quietly observe someone and figure out what you can learn about them strictly by observing.
Deductions - 2+
To do deductions with a friend or multiple people, everyone should have the same target. It starts with someone making one or more deductive statements, then passes to the next person. This goes on until no more deductions can be made.
Books
"Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes" by Maria Konnikova
"Read People Like a Book: How to Analyze, Understand, and Predict People’s Emotions, Thoughts, Intentions, and Behaviors" by Patrick King
"Think Like Sherlock: Creatively Solve Problems, Think with Clarity, Make Insightful Observations & Deductions, and Develop Quick & Accurate Instincts" by Peter Hollins
"Deduction: Introductory Symbolic Logic" by Daniel Bonevac
"The Art of the Mentalist: Learn the psychology and tricks that mentalist magicians use to read minds, see the future and demonstrate psychic powers" by Steve G Williamson
"Mastering the Observant Mind" by Miles Carrington
I was asked to write more on self-conditioning. If there are any particular points of self-conditioning you are interested in, please request specifics. I am hoping to have more on the broad topic of "self-conditioning".