Posted by mikezillion at December 29th, 2007

Don’t know why I found this article on the Freakonomics blog so damn sexy. It describes how senior Naval officer candidates enforce discipline at the meal table. They call it “eating by the numbers,” and it involves a complex and very specific ritualized procedure for each bit of food taken. Every step of the process–and there are eight before each bite may be swallowed–is done in unison with all the other cadets in the room.

As one commenter points out, ” It’s amazing how a few months of these exercises can overcome years or decades of civilian living.”

I guess that’s a good thing? <–Sarcasm