Peggy and Daniel Holden in “Donald the Normal”

[joining him in front of a painting] What do you think?

What do I think? Well, I think I have looked at this painting for so long in a in a book that somehow my brain has trivialized it. And, uh, now as I stand here in front of the real thing, I feel, if anything, disappointment.

Oh, that's too bad.

Well, not at the painting itself. More at my brain, I guess.

I think the brain's afraid of being in a state of constant wonder. It's for safety reasons or something.

I suppose it's inevitable.

Usually by the time we're four.

Then there's the the issue of great expectations.

Something the brain doesn't seem the least bit interested in protecting us from.

[chuckles] No.

Well, I think we should reinstate wonder, banish expectation.

I concur.