Without a clue we cannot come to a conclusion. But there is always a clue. Therein lies the mystery of the baffler. Why am I baffled? I’m baffled because I work in a world based on rules; yet on occasion I find that these rules seem not to add up. And in those moments I bare witness to what appears to be the legendary baffler. But alas no, a clue becomes evident and the baffler fades like a rainbow; just an illusion created by the rules that govern the refraction of white light.

I’m no baffler hunter. I try to avoid them. But when I feel one is near I never fear it. For it is better to embrace the disappointment in realizing the baffler was not real than to not chase it, foolishly believing it may have been there.

There are baffler hunters out there though. They hunt bafflers like junkies chase the dragon, never catching up but finding out so much more on the way.

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
Arthur Conan Doyle

And so I conclude, there is no such thing as a baffler. Yet this seems a paradox, for baffilisation has occurred so many times before.

Introducing the ’semi-baffler’ or ‘apparent baffler’

Again, these are words I made up. An apparent baffler is merely (in the context of web design/development) a scenario that seems to have no explanation. You’ll stare at the screen for some time. You should take a break. Go for a cigarette or a cup of tea. Perhaps when you get back that baffler will be gone.