History Main / PlaceboEurekaMoment

* In ''Disney/TheLionKingOneAndAHalf;'', this happens the second time Timon meets Rafiki.

Alice has a problem and she goes to Bob for some advice. She pours her problems out to him, unaware that he isn't paying attention, but by the end of their "conversation" she's figured out the answer to her problem and thanks Bob for his help. On the other hand, Bob may be all set to give her some advice, but before he can get a word in, Alice comes up with a solution and runs off, thanking him, and leaving Bob bewildered, though he'll still probably say, "You're welcome." If Bob contributed anything at all, it was simply to serve as a catalyst for Alice to re-state (and thereby re-think) her problem.

In short, this is when a character has a EurekaMoment without being inspired by the other character, but acts like the other character gave them just what they needed or thought they needed. Sometimes the other character isn't actually listening in the first place - they're asleep, or they've left the room, etc. Sometimes it's an animal, a person who they share no languages with, or TheSilentBob. When [[InvokedTrope invoked]], an outright inanimate object, such as a stuffed animal or the famous rubber duck, is another common alternative.

* In software development, this is called "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging rubber duck debugging]]." It's a technique where you try to fix a problem by describing it to an inanimate object, like a rubber duck or a stuffed animal. The mere act of putting your problem to words will sometimes allow you to figure out a solution on your own.

* In software development, "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging Rubber Duck Debugging]]" is a technique where you try to fix a problem by describing it to an [[CompanionCube inanimate object]]. The mere act of putting it to words often allows you to figure it out on your own.
* The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELIZA ELIZA]] program, a "psychoanalytic" computer program where people would type in their problems (for instance, "People don't like me") and it would just throw their statements back at them in the form of questions ("Why do you think people don't like you?"). The majority of users said the program helped them feel better.
* Ancient oracles might also have had a psychologist-effect, instead of being just mere fortune-tellers. They listened to the supplicant, let them tell their whole story, and at the end they only said a very short, cryptic answer. This could allow the supplicant to think through his problem and find a solution.

%%* ''Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' (the second movie) - "Oh, you're good."

* In a cut scene from ''Film/GalaxyQuest'', the engineers approach Fred (Tech Sergeant Chen) with a problem. In the process of explaining it to him, they stumble upon the solution, then give him the credit.

[[/folder]]
----

[[AC:{{Film}}]]

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]

[[AC:{{Theatre}}]]

[[AC:VideoGames]]

[[AC:WebComics]]

[[AC:WebOriginal]]

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]

[[AC:RealLife]]

* ''Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' (the second movie) - "Oh, you're good."

* In software development, "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging Rubber Duck Debugging]]" is a technique where you try to fix a problem by describing it to an [[CompanionCube inanimate object]]. The mere act of putting it to words often allows you to figure it out on your own.

* In software development, "teddy bear debugging" is a well-known technique where you try to fix a problem by describing it to a coworker, friend, or even a [[CompanionCube stuffed animal]]. The mere act of putting it to words often allows you to figure it out on your own.
** This is more commonly referred to as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging Rubber Duck Debugging]].
** Aka "bugbear".

* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in ''Discworld/{{Jingo}}'' by Lord Vetinari, who thinks that when people go ask other people for advice it isn't because they want their help. They just want someone to be there while they talk to themselves.

* In ''Disney/TheLionKing 1½'', this happens the second time Timon meets Rafiki.

* ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda Holiday Special'' has this one where Po thinks of a way to make sure he and his dad spend time together during the Winter Festival, so he mumbles in front of the guard who remained stoic. He figures out a solution regardless and thanks the guard who still remained stoic.

* Used in the ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' episode "The Hand That Rocks the Mabel," with Mabel asking Wendy for advice on breaking up with someone, but as Wendy keeps listing all the guys she's dumped, Mabel realizes what she has to do and thanks Wendy for their talk.
* At least once on ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid The Little Mermaid: The Series]]'', King Triton would ask Dudley for advice, but since Dudley is a turtle and talks very slowly he can't get a single word in as Triton keeps interrupting him and Triton ends up coming to the conclusion himself.
* In an early episode (possibly the pilot) of Archer, the protagonist heads down to Kreiger's lab to ask him for advice on something. Kreiger doesn't actually say anything throughout this exchange (though he has been shown to talk normally in other episodes), but Archer somehow understands everything he's "saying", thanking him with "Seriously. You're my Oprah."

In short, this is when a character has a EurekaMoment without being inspired by the other character, but acts like the other character gave them just what they needed or thought they needed. Sometimes the other character isn't actually listening in the first place - they're asleep, or they've left the room, etc. Sometimes it's an animal, a person who they share no languages with, or TheSilentBob. When [[InvokedTrope invoked]], an outright inanimate object, such as a stuffed animal or the famous rubber duck, is another common alternative. A common variation is for a character to be visiting their therapist, who doesn't say much more than "hmm," and "I see," yet they leave the session [[EpiphanyTherapy feeling much better]] (in fact, [[AllPsychologyIsFreudian psychoanalysis]] actually ''recommends'' that the therapist say as little as possible, partly to prevent them from putting words in the patient's mouth and partly to encourage the patient to talk themselves).

In short, this is when a character has a EurekaMoment without being inspired by the other character, but acts like the other character gave them just what they needed or thought they needed. Sometimes the other character isn't actually listening in the first place - they're asleep, or they've left the room, etc. Sometimes it's an animal, a person who they share no languages with, or TheSilentBob. A common variation is for a character to be visiting their therapist, who doesn't say much more than "hmm," and "I see," yet they leave the session [[EpiphanyTherapy feeling much better]] (in fact, [[AllPsychologyIsFreudian psychoanalysis]] actually ''recommends'' that the therapist say as little as possible, partly to prevent them from putting words in the patient's mouth and partly to encourage the patient to talk themselves).

* The second episode of ''{{Scrubs}}'' did this, where first J.D. and then Elliot did this with Dr Cox. This cemented Dr. Cox as the guy people (especially J.D.) came to with problems, much to his annoyance (''especially'' when it involved J.D.).

* The therapist in ''{{Phantasmagoria 2}}'' had surprisingly little to say about Curtis's various revelations: everything from being dressed as a girl by his horrifically abusive mother, to his attraction to both his female co-worker and male best friend, to his interest in bondage. You'd think there would've at least been a comment of note. Oh well, Curtis seemed pleased with the sessions.

* In ''OnceUponAMattress'', the Queen asks the wizard to help her think of a test to give Princess Winifred, but ends up just complaining without letting him get a word in edgewise. She ends up coming up with the idea all on her own, but still calls the wizard "a genius" for it.

Also known as [[http://www.c2.com/cgi/wiki?RubberDucking Rubber Ducking]] IRL. At the other extreme we have GladIThoughtOfIt. Compare ExplainExplainOhCrap for another situation where the act of describing the situation leads a character to a (much less helpful) understanding.

* In one ''ArthurKingOfTimeAndSpace'' strip, Merlin discusses something with Arthur over breakfast. Merlin then admits he just needed to say it out loud, and NotAMorningPerson Arthur replies that obviously Merlin knows him better than to actually ask his ''opinion'' at that time of day.
* Used in [[http://kevinandkell.com/2011/kk0902.html this]] ''KevinAndKell'' strip, where Frank seeks guidance from his advisor Simcha.

* In ''WapsiSquare'', Monica thanked Darren for his advice [[http://wapsisquare.com/comic/01312005/ without realizing he never said anything.]]

* Happens in ''TheSimpsons'' episode "Who Shot Mr. Burns Part 2" when Lisa finds a clue and then thanks a nearby pigeon for pointing it out to her.

* Occurs in ''[[{{Peanuts}} Play It Again, Charlie Brown]]'' between Lucy and Charlie Brown.
* Used in the ''GravityFalls'' episode "The Hand That Rocks the Mabel," with Mabel asking Wendy for advice on breaking up with someone, but as Wendy keeps listing all the guys she's dumped, Mabel realizes what she has to do and thanks Wendy for their talk.

* In software development, "teddy bear debugging" is a well-known technique where you try to fix a problem by describing it to a coworker, friend, or even a stuffed animal. The mere act of putting it to words often allows you to figure it out on your own.

Alice has a problem and she goes to Bob for some advice. She pours her problems out to him, unaware that he isn't paying attention, but by the end of their "conversation" she's figured out the answer to her problem and thanks Bob for his help. On the other hand, Bob may be all set to give her some advice, but before he can get a word in, Alice comes up with a solution and runs off, thanking him, and leaving Bob bewildered, though he'll still probably say, "You're welcome."

Also known as [[http://www.c2.com/cgi/wiki?RubberDucking Rubber Ducking]] IRL. At the other extreme we have GladIThoughtOfIt.

* At least once on ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid The Little Mermaid: The Series]]'', King Triton would ask Dudley for advice, but since Dudley is a turtle and talks very slowly he can't get a word in as Triton keeps interrupting him and Triton ends up coming to the conclusion himself.