The Inflection Point

This next entry touches upon a phenomenon I began to notice a few years back: the Inflection Point.  Also known as the Point of Inflection, this event is a common occurrence in our everyday lives and has significant consequences for our social and business endeavors.  Simply put, the Point of Inflection encompasses the moment when contact between two or more people occurs, and the emotions felt in the immediate aftermath. A pretty general definition, but let us explore the concept further.

First, an understanding of the etymology of the Inflection Point.  The inspiration for this concept of mine came from high school calculus.  In the mathematical sense of the word, the inflection point is a point on a curve at which the curvature changes from being concave upwards to concave downwards, or vice versa.  It is this change in concavity that strikes me as an excellent analogy for what happens when contact is initiated.  It should be noted that I do not necessarily mean physical contact.  In fact, it is the simple occurrence of eye contact that is best suited for the context of the Point of Inflection.

Let us explore the concept of the Inflection Point in this context.  To redefine this phenomenon, the Point of Inflection includes the moment after you exchange eye contact with someone or realize that you are being watched, and the reaction of both parties immediately after.  In this moment, your actions/attitude/demeanor changes rapidly in what can be described as an awkward shift in momentum.  I first began to observe and experience this effect in the halls of my university, the exercise rooms of the gym, and then finally (and most dramatically) on the dance floor.  Let me explain this through an example.

Good sir and madam.

Example: A young man is walking down a hallway, when a woman enters the hallway from the other end and begins to travel in his direction.  Their paths are sure to cross, and when they do the young man glances at the woman.  Their eyes meet quickly before returning to their desired paths (or the floor), but not without leaving an impression on both of them.  Most noticeably is the pace of the young man.  It has changed from a stride of sure determination to a shuffle.  The woman, quite unnoticeably, experiences a shiver before returning to her regular stride. 

In this example, we have eye contact between two people (more specifically a male and a female) passing each other in a hallway.  However, the example also works if they are both male or both female.  The Point of Inflection begins when each person notices the other, eye contact triggering the change in behavior which is then followed by two different reactions from each party involved.  The most noticeable reactions such as the change in walking pace comes from a loss of concentration or increased uncertainty from the presence of the other person.  Other noticeable reactions include a rapid aversion of the eyes, a slight slurring of words or stopping of conversation altogether (if talking to an accompanying person), a touch of your hair (mostly done by women), and the finding of something to occupy oneself (such as a cell phone).  The slight shudder is a reaction that would normally be unnoticeable, and it should be noted that is does not necessarily mean disgust or fear.  Sometimes the human body will just react.  Other examples of unnoticeable reactions include an increase in sweat/prickles, feelings of pride or embarrassment and an inability to concentrate.  The Point of Inflection can be associated with nervousness, however, it is not an experience restricted specifically to this feeling. 

The Inflection Point is mostly felt when encountering others while alone.  It is not as prevalent when part of a group.  One reason for this is the confidence of being in a group (safety in numbers).  Another reason is that a lone encounter with another person allows for a personal experience where the parties involved are "forced" to come to terms with the interaction and the following reaction. 

Dudes got swagger!

As I mentioned earlier, the Point of Inflection can be most dramatically observed on the dance floor. For my purposes, I will write about this example in the context of a club's dance floor, where the lights and sounds are cause for intoxication in the dimly-lit confines of the bar.  This social setting is often used as a sort of sexual foreplay, where ones movements on the floor can send a message of how one may perform in the bedroom.  Besides the sexual connotations, it is also an arena where confidence, creativity and charisma will win you a crown (and perhaps a companion).  The Point of Inflection is quite intimately linked with actions on the dance floor, as searching for and acquiring a partner includes an incredible amount of body language and eye contact.  A night out can be considered successful through the proper usage and maintenance of the Inflection Point.  A simple gaze can convey volumes, and a brave foot forward can cement your dominance. 

The POI is not alone in its existence as it can be broken down into various parts/reactions that may follow.  Below are a few other sub-POI's that I have come up with. 

Point of Reflection - You catch another's gaze and immediately ponder what their glance could mean.

Point of Intention - Eye contact that conveys a sense of intention.

Point of Retention -  An awkward/negative reaction to the above points, or to avoid follow up to them.

Point of Defection - To defect from a plan (ie: Begin a reaction to POI but abandon intentions halfway through). 

Point of Infection - Negative thoughts consume you.  In the context of the dance floor, this translates into "you're fucked for the night!".

Point of Convention - You start reasoning with yourself about your actions (ie: conventional logic).

These sub-POI's all come with their own consequences and possibilities, and I'm sure there are countless others to experience.  It would be beneficial to embrace and master these.  This can be accomplished by understanding your Point of Inflection.  Keep track of how you react to these situations and brace for future ones.  This is the first step to mastering one's Point of Inflection and those of others.

Don't do it!

In order to do this, you must know that POI is inevitable, and that the secret to mastering it is to exude confidence.  I find that when passing others, the Inflection Point is diminished if I return their gaze, smile, or nod/acknowledge them.  I have experienced the Point of Inflection several times when passing another person while talking to an accompanying friend.  To alleviate the Point of Inflection, I simply asked my friend a question which would pivot the momentum of the conversation to them.  Therefore, I was in a position to take a break from speaking and avert the Inflection Point.  There is one maxim when avoiding an Inflection Point, and that is to never reach for something to occupy yourself.  This screams avoidance, especially if the object you grab is your cell phone.  

There you have it!  The Point of Inflection laid out bare for you all to see and to experience (and experience it you will).  If you haven't already observed this phenomenon, you will now see it everywhere.  It will become so apparent and obvious that you will wonder how you never noticed it before.  And now it is up to you to master the Inflection Point.  Whether it be in the hallway, at the drinking fountain, or on the dance floor.  Have fun, and good luck!


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