Nathan Fielder’s "Rehearsal" and Stoic Visualization

In Season 2 of The Rehearsal, comedian Nathan Fielder is on a mission to improve air safety by encouraging captains and first officers to converse more freely. His theory is that many plane crashes could be prevented if first officers felt more comfortable speaking up when they believe the captain is making a mistake. This sounds too simple to be true, but Nathan manages to convince aviation safety expert John Goglia.

Assuming for the sake of argument that Fielder has put his finger on the problem, what is the solution? As the title of the show suggests, cockpit crews need to rehearse. Fielder’s comedy comes from the absurdity of some of his rehearsals. In this serious case, though, he asks often sullen and uncommunicative aviators to assume the characters of First Officer Blunt, who always speaks his mind about what he sees and thinks, and Captain All Ears, who loves to receive feedback and is totally open to correction. Fielder’s hypothesis is that roleplaying these characters before a flight, will facilitate cockpit communication and improve safety. It’s not as crazy as it sounds.

In his quest for legitimacy and a congressional hearing, Fielder discovers that the first season of The Rehearsal is popular among people with autism and has been useful in helping them navigate the social world. In fact, there is some question as to whether Fielder himself has autism. Whether he does or not, Fielder insists that rehearsal is perfectly appropriate for all people, even those not on the spectrum.

He’s right. The Stoic philosophers long ago advocated mentally preparing for what is likely to occur. Consider what the Stoic Epictetus says about going to the public baths:

If you intend to engage in any activity, remind yourself what the nature of the activity is. If you are going to bathe, imagine yourself what happens in baths: the splashing of water, the crowding, the scolding, the stealing. And like that, you will more steadily engage in the activity if you frankly say “I want to bathe and want to hold my will in accordance with nature.” And do the same for every activity. So if any impediment arises in bathing, readily say “I did not only want this, but I also wanted to hold my will in accordance with nature; and I will not hold it like that if I am annoyed about what happens.” (Handbook, Ch. 4)

Epictetus asks his reader to imagine going to the public baths and to imagine what issues they may confront. The Stoic wants his reader to be Captain Cool, who sets it as his purpose not to be annoyed, no matter what happens.

Consider what Epictetus says about how Captain Cool could handle gossipy insults:

If you are told someone is saying bad things about you, do not defend yourself against what is said, but answer, “Obviously this person is ignorant of my other faults, otherwise they would not have mentioned only these ones.” (Handbook, Ch. 33)

That is some high-level cool! The Stoic visualizes brushing off news of nasty gossip without becoming defensive, but instead showing a sense of humor.

The same kind of visualization even applies to death:

Let death and exile, and all other things that seem terrible, appear daily before your eyes, but especially death—and you will never entertain any abject thought, nor long for anything excessively. (Handbook, Ch. 20)

Epictetus is not advising his reader to morbidly dwell on death. Rather, he is saying that thinking about death daily can give you perspective and help you become Captain Cool, who sees the everyday things like rude bathers and mean gossips as no big deal.

Epictetus did not advocate play acting, but Nathan Fielder does. Really, rehearsing is just one step beyond visualizing, and it’s probably more effective. Rehearsing as a character you want to become may sound silly, and it can definitely be funny, but it makes sense aspirationally. “Fake it till you make it” has such a negative vibe. You don’t want to be fake, insincere, or hypocritical. It’s much better to conceive of the project as genuinely, authentically aspiring and rehearsing to become a better version of yourself.

If a pilot wants to become humble in taking feedback and criticism, he can play the role of Captain All Ears. In my own case, I often lapse into the role of Worried Willy, a close cousin to Debbie Downer, who can find the negative in any positive. I’d rather be Brightside Billy, who is happy, joyous, and free—lighthearted and at ease. Brightside Billy has an overwhelming sense that all is fundamentally well. He’s no Pollyanna, but he can see the positive even in the negative. He’s no Stuart Smalley either, but he’s not shy about seeing the best in himself.

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I may never fully become Brightside Billy, but if Nathan has taught me anything, it’s that I can make progress if I rehearse.