Just wondering, of all the things you could put on your head, well, a tangerine? Is there signifigance to the look, taste, or smell?

I do agree with the principle. It seems to help one look at the reading material from an overview standpoint instead of a word by word, nitpicking, don't-you-dare-miss-something-or-you'll-get-smacked, attitude.

I hope that doesn't sound like I came from some twisted, unbalanced freak upbringing!

I think Paul in his book has discovered something fundamental about adults as we get older.

BAGGAGE ACCUMULATES.

Only by a sort of reverting back to childhood in terms of a learning "attitude" will we start to absorb information like a child. Do most people think children learn new languages (as well as the computer) quickly just because they're young? Paul has discovered that they learn at an accelerated rate due to a fresh learning attitude. They have little or no baggage to drag them down.
We must constantly endeavor (as beginners) to capture that fresh attitude of wonder we had long ago. Learning should be always fresh because its new, invigorating and stimulating.