So I recently followed an interesting pissing contest discussion on the RP as to the matter of ideology. A great deal of the argument centered on the different definitions that one word can have. Having a lot of time on my hands now to think, I wondered how many different definitions we have here at RPW for one word. So I am going to throw this out there in the hopes that this will spark a discussion: What does the word hamster mean to you and how do you keep it in its cage?

This is the RP definition of the term: Hamster - Used to describe the way that women use rationalization to resolve mental conflict and avoid cognitive dissonance. The core mechanism that allows women to say one thing and do a different thing.

Here is the definition of cognitive dissonance: In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort (psychological stress) experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values. This discomfort is triggered by a situation in which a person's belief clashes with new evidence perceived by the person.

For me the definition of the term hamster is allowing my emotions to run away with my common sense. However, personally, it is not a means to ignore or dismiss the consequences of my actions. When I fuck up I try to come to terms with it. As for keeping the hamster in the cage, it means not allowing myself to freak out (when my emotions are demanding that I do so) until I can objectively look at what is so upsetting. I try to achieve this by doing manual tasks while I hash the problem out in my head and come to some comforting solution and the steps to take to achieve it.