The word Pha(N)chology was invented and put to use by a group of young students in Delhi, way back in the ’80s, when the tryst for survival in a highly depressed economy was the order of the day. Forced by the need to stand out among the crowd and succeed, every Tom, Dick and Harry resorted to laying hands upon any diverse subject / topic, and lecture on it - to an audience of comparatively less-informed group members!
It was not a pre-requisite that this lecture was based on knowledge or the lack of it; but the sheer pleasure of being able to leave the audience gaping at oneself, often gave that feeling of “first among equals” within the group or community. This practice was so rampant and recurrent, that it was quite difficult to extricate facts from fiction. Often this type of lecturing was called - in slang Hindi - “Phe(N)kna” meaning “to throw”; hence the practice was gradually given the name of Pha(N)chology.
The Pha(N)chology practice had a viral growth during 1980-90, and was gradually treated as a skill – the art of making an impression among the pseudo socializers.
Fastest way to get started in Pha(N)chology is to start talking calmly and patiently, with much style and panache, about an adventure, project or a long-lost theory, which none of your listeners is supposed to have any prior experience / interest.
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