DEFINING MINDLESSNESS........... ( Article by Carp )

In a sport which requires sharp keen minds , and a mindful watch as to what is happening at the table, there are far too many mindless players around , who appear to have completely abandoned the idea of thinking . 
Such a player is one who bids and plays the cards without justification, and with no concern for the consequences. These mindless liabilities operate on autopilot , making decisions which are so simple or repetitive as to be performed without effort or thought at all. Indeed , they perform like wooden tops  , never thinking about the possible problems that might lie ahead, let alone the possible ways of solving them. They are not concerned about such things , resorting instead to making random choices , and instant off-the-wall decisions. In essence , mindlessness is all about acting on whims, or just going through the basic motions , albeit in a dilatory and haphazard fashion. 
Indeed , you'll know when you have been paired up with a mindless moron, by observing some of his/her trademark characteristics :
- failure to remember what bidding system they agreed upon to play  
- unable to recall the auction , or any of the cards previously played
- an inability or reluctance to count up to 13
- never able to determine what the opponents are up to  , or plans they might be hatching
- oblivious to recognising alternative , far superior lines of play
- random in their choice of leads , discards,  and bids 
- forever staring out of the window or at their watches 
- easily distracted by anyone or anything
Mindless players play the game without any purpose or plan. They seem more interested in other things that are going on the room as opposed to what is happening at the table. Many come across as being in dream land or on walkabout. Irrelevant thoughts are the only ones which enter into their empty minds. 
These are players you must never consider partnering , to be avoided like the plague. They blight the game of bridge by handing out galactic tops to all and sundry who have the good fortune to play against them. But being " mindless " means they haven't the wit or ability to recognise their gross deficiencies. So they still keep turning up week after week , because habit and routine dictate their lives. Such is the bizarre world of bridge.