Any time I start getting involved in something on more than a cursory level, it starts affecting how I think. It doesn't affect WHAT I think, just how.
Some of the guys at work have taken to playing chess during lunch. I used to play a long time ago, and still retain a rudimentary knowledge of the game and play at a level I would describe as "just good enough to not be considered a beginner anymore."
One of my friends at work, Lucas, turned me on to a site called Chess.com that has all manner of features for the chess lover. I highly recommend it, but that isn't the point of this blog. What inspired this blog was that when I went to this site, there was a poll question: "Does playing Chess affect the way you think?" And there were two answers - pretty much a simple 'yes' or 'no.'
Having only resumed my interest in Chess for about two weeks now, I find that even small amounts of playing are affecting how I think about other things. In particular, I am finding the objectiveness of Chess refreshing. There is no debate over the situation on the board. The two opponents could be as different as different gets in life, but Chess makes for an equalizing middle and undebateable ground where they can meet and suspend, at least temporarily, all differences of opinion. For a short time, life for each player boils down to the same thing, and both must adhere to the exact same rules. In the course of play, and perhaps it's just for me, something develops outside of the game - an increased understanding that whatever life's rules are, they are the same for everyone. It is only our perception of those rules that differ. For some reason, I find that uplifting.
If you do happen to take an interest in Chess and go to Chess.com, my name there is OckhamsRazor as well. Send me a friend request and let's play a game - perhaps we'll learn more than who is the better chess player!