Chapter Thirty-three: Zebras, Unicorns, and Occam’s Razor

Summary

• The chapter discusses a man missing after an incident in a park known for its danger.
• William of Ockham’s philosophy, Occam’s razor, is used to highlight the tendency for complex overinterpretation.
• The narrator reflects on people's skepticism towards non-speakers like Eugene, who communicate using alternative means.
• There is significant doubt among the general public regarding videos and demonstrations of non-speakers communicating.
• The narrator feels anger and frustration at the denial of evidence and the rejection of what seems obvious.
• Extreme skepticism is criticized as it can lead to nihilism.
• The narrator argues against assumptions based on appearances and behaviors.
• Cognitive biases and heuristics are shown to lead to oversimplification and erroneous conclusions about people.
• Eugene’s perspective on their family's loss of the father and himself to a 'prison' is discussed, which provides some solace despite the tragedy.
• Eugene shares a sense of community and belonging through a group of non-speakers.
• The narrator appreciates the poetry created by non-speakers and plans to set one to music.
• The refrain "I am here" in non-speakers' poetry is described as a powerful assertion of existence.
• The chapter also covers the hundredth day since the father’s disappearance and the resultant legal and emotional implications.
• The family tries to piece together the unsolved mysteries around the father’s possible cancer diagnosis and mysterious disappearance.
• The narrator grapples with various theories and creates charts to organize thoughts on the father’s fate.
• The potential involvement of different family members in fabricating evidence or concealing truths is contemplated.
• The chapter ends with the narrator's internal struggle about whether to unlock their father’s phone using a potential passcode related to the mystery.
• Ultimately, the narrator decides to disable the phone intentionally, choosing uncertainty over the temptation to seek concrete answers.