2

In a common experience, an intermittent issue will frustrate someone for a long time, and then when s/he gets frustrated enough to spend the money and hire a professional, the symptoms of the issue will not be present. For example, a car makes a strange sound most of the time, but doesn't do it when the mechanic is around. Another example might be some intermittent medical symptom that disappears at the doctor's. The lack of ability to reliably reproduce the problem in front of an expert who might be able to fix it helps ensure that the problem will "survive" to another day.

Is there a word or few-word name for this concept?

I'm guessing that this is a phenomena perceived to be more common than it actually is.

It's almost the opposite of Murphy's Law because it's about something that can go wrong but doesn't, and it doesn't seem to fit the "simultaneous apparent opposites" that would categorize it as a "paradox" of any sort (e.g. it doesn't seem like mechanic's paradox would fit).

Improve this question
4
  • 1
    Related, but not a dupe (IMO): resistentialism.
    – Dan Bron
    Commented Jun 13, 2016 at 23:40
  • @DanBron Thanks for your comment - that is interesting and related (though I agree, not a dupe)! The answer to this question would name one sign or symptom of resistentialism.
    – WBT
    Commented Jun 13, 2016 at 23:41
  • One would seek repair because it is "broke[n]" and failing to operate correctly some significant percentage of the time, even if things occasionally work right (and by perception, those correct operations are more likely to occur in the presence of an expert who would otherwise be able to diagnose the issue).
    – WBT
    Commented Jun 13, 2016 at 23:51
  • I call it the demo effect. When you go to demonstrate something to someone it doesn't behave as you expect.
    – Drew
    Commented Jun 14, 2016 at 0:02

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

In accordance with Murphy's Law, when you bring your car into the shop to get 'that noise' looked at, it (the "gremlins" inside), will undoubtedly subside until the inspection period passes. Your mechanic will then turn to you and say,

"I can't fix it, if it ain't broke."

Intermittent problems are the hardest to diagnose.

The gremlins always run away and hide when the guy with the tools shows up.

Improve this answer
2

Quantum Superposition (the Copenhagen interpretation thereof). This theory states that a quantum system (or car) remains in superposition (two simultaneous states) until it interacts with, or is observed by, the external world (your mechanic), at which time the superposition collapses into one or another of the possible definite states.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    +1. This is closely related to Heisenbug, though I'd previously only heard/used that term applied to software.
    – WBT
    Commented Jun 14, 2016 at 0:09
  • 1
    Yeah, the old "Schrodinger's car" thing.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Jun 14, 2016 at 0:10

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .