Lex vs CIA agent "retired"

Where the agent fucked up - his thumb

He only did a similar thing in one other podcast in view of the camera. It didn't last the entire interview and wasn't as intense. There are podcasts where his hands are out of view or on his legs not moving as to not allow for any body language to be read. However, it begs the question, why would he act differently on Lex's podcast.

What I know:

Grabbing one's thumb is a self-soothing behavior often employed to manage anxiety and stay grounded in the present moment. This action provides comfort and security, evoking a sense of calmness and relaxation. By focusing on the physical sensation of holding the thumb, individuals can redirect their attention away from future concerns or "far" thoughts, alleviating anxiety and promoting a sense of stability. This self-soothing technique also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to regulate emotions and reduce physiological arousal associated with anxiety.

This is a behavior that individuals may engage in to avoid focusing on the distant or far aspects and instead redirect their attention to the immediate or near surroundings. This behavior can serve as a grounding mechanism to stay present and avoid getting overwhelmed by long-term goals or anxieties.

By physically grabbing their thumb, individuals create a sensory focus on something close and tangible, diverting their attention away from the far or future-oriented thoughts.

In the context of near-far logic, you want to consider the immediate and long term ramifications, good or bad, or both. I believe that grabbing the thumb can also be seen as a near-far behavior. It involves utilizing a physical action related to the near (thumb) to avoid mentally dwelling on the far (distant thoughts or future concerns). By engaging in this behavior, individuals attempt to ground themselves in the present, minimizing the cognitive load associated with future-oriented thinking. Conversely, I also believe that zoning out or looking off into the distance, literally or even just mentally/figuratively, is a "far" behavior in accordance to the theory of near-far behavior during near-far logic. By looking off into the distance or mentally wandering you are going far in your mind to avoid the present.

These things are done not only to disconnect from situations, but also to avoid making mistakes in the near which will result in consequences in the far, so to speak.

Furthermore, later on the agent admitted to having anxiety, especially when he goes to meet or bump into a target. He told lex that there is a dossier on him, he has said this to other people (at least one). All agents get a dossier on anyone they meet in the field.

*Near-far behavior is solely my terminology, it is fundamentally different from near-far logic but it happens during the time of assessing the logic.