2/07/2020

On the Value of Thinking






DISCLAIMER: I fully accept the probability that anyone who is actually reading this article is by definition not someone who particularly needs to be advised of the value of critical thinking.  In the vernacular, I am preaching to the choir, and I know it.  Thank you very much. Please continue reading.

FURTHER DISCLAIMER: I had every intention of writing a quasi-scholarly article about the merits of thinking.  Alex Atkins inspired me with all of his Isaac Asimov quoting and what-not.  Turns out momentary inspiration can only go so far when it comes to assembling a thoughtful piece about thinking.  Anyway, I hope you still continue reading.

And, by the way, let me know what you think.

TO BLAB, PERCHANCE TO INFLUENCE

These days we seem to hear a lot of emotional blabbing that apparently does not emerge from careful thought and consideration of objective facts. This can be discouraging.

However, I console myself that we are (probably) hearing from a relatively small segment of society; i.e., for the most part, the ones who are taking the time to think are not the ones who are blabbing.

In terms of social influence I am not sure this is a good thing.

It reminds me of the expression “self-licking ice cream cone.”  The part of our national culture that is making the most noise is feeding on itself, which is not an appetizing image nor is it a comforting prospect for the future of thinking in America.

I’m not sure what the history of thinking is in this country (that would be an interesting timeline), but we have a lot of “thought-based” idiomatic expressions in our lingo.

Have you given any thought to this?

That’s what you think.

You’ve got another think coming.

On the one hand, the act of thinking is something none of us can avoid. We never stop thinking; except, one might argue, when we are asleep or unconscious. But the truth of the latter is a debate for neuroscientists, one of which I am not.

What I am writing about here is in fact NOT brain surgery.

On the other hand, what we have come to call “critical thinking” seems to be sliding rapidly toward extinction.  We should start a “go-fund-me” to save the critical thoughts.

It appears to me – especially because I find myself guilty of this too often – that few people are willing to take the time to study something before trumpeting an opinion.  There truly seems to be no consideration, no careful thought invested in the constant gush of ugliness that passes for “news” lately.  When I say “lately” I mean essentially the last fifteen to twenty years (or more).

I blame the internet.



The internet seems to be our only source of information anymore.  That is not inherently and immediately a bad thing.  I am confident that “the truth is out there.”  But I am also convinced that there is way too much not-truth.

We used to understand the difference between facts and opinions. Also, we used to accept the fact that opinions differ, and we even (usually) respected everyone’s freedoms to form and express their own opinions.

Now when we have a difference of opinion we immediately start calling each other names. Very civilized and sophisticated, no?



How can we tell whether someone has thought about something before they started speaking about it?

I would say when someone offers organized sentences in a calm manner, and when those sentences are sensible, and when there is zero accusation and name-calling.

Zero.

Unfortunately, it does not take long to find floods of uncontrolled vitriol on “social” media. The slightest provocation brings it out in full force.

Nevertheless, our language continues to give evidence that we, at least subliminally, place great value on the act of thinking.  Apparently the idea of the importance of thinking is ingrained in our cultural substance.

For example:

What does it mean when we call someone “thoughtless”? 

Or why do we use the (pseudo-) excuse “I guess I wasn’t thinking”?

Or the other side of that coin, when someone does something stu-, I mean, um... unexpected, we will ask, “What were you thinking?”



We are literally always thinking. So, how can we place a value on “thinking”?  Would that be akin to placing a value on “breathing”?  Well, when you THINK about it... if we stop breathing, we die.  What happens if we stop thinking?

THE STUDY OF THINKING

There are people who have made entire lifetimes and careers out of thinking about thinking.  I mean to say, people who are (or may be) smarter than me have devoted great chunks of their lives to analyzing the processes and results involved in the human activity of thinking.

Books, articles, videos, lectures, essays, poems, diatribes, monographs, white papers, theses (including Luther’s 95), telegrams, fortune cookies, and any number of other written and verbal communications have contributed to a rather daunting collection of research, statistics, and opinions concerning what it means to think, how we do it, and how it affects our personal lives and ultimately the course of human history.

Think about it.  :)

To get to where we are in the trajectory of human civilization, a lot of people had to do some serious thinking, and then they had to take action based on the thoughts they thought. Among the manifold results of all that thinking and acting is the fact that I am typing this article on a “keyboard” that is communicating with a “computer,” and when I need to move the “cursor” I wiggle my “mouse” to get it where I want it on the “monitor.”

All of that took some thinking, and acting, and a fair amount of buying and selling.

Apparently some people are still thinking, if the continuing flow of arts and sciences is any measure.  Heck, I’m doing a fair amount of thinking just to write this piece. In the end, you can be the judge of that, I suppose.

WHERE HAS ALL THE THINKING GONE?

Nevertheless, therefore, and so on...  I admit, sometimes these days it seems like no one is thinking, especially our government.  [Stand back, please. The hot water is already arcing toward me.] But this article is not about that. Too mucky.  Ick, ptui.

This is about all of us. Everyperson.

How much are we truly called upon to think anymore?

We make a lot of choices all day long that require a certain amount of brain activity; e.g., whether to get out of bed, what to eat for breakfast, what clothes to put on, what show(s) to watch, what to order online, whether to “friend” or “like” or “block” or “boost” or “share” or use a particular “emoji” or any of seemingly hundreds of other “choices” about how to interact on “social media”...  you get my point.  We make lots of little decisions every day that keep us on the merry-go-round.

We breathe. We speak. We write, maybe. A diminishing few of us read.  There might be laughter or tears. There will be bathroom breaks. And beverages and snacks.

Let’s just admit it.  We seem to emote quite a bit, but there is very little actual thought behind the emoting.



We decide what to “think” about an issue based on how we feel about it, possibly taking into slight consideration a couple of headlines we saw or sound bites we heard or because our cousin Fritz  said so – and that may be because we have long since decided that we will always agree with Fritz or we will always disagree with Fritz*.

We do not take the time to find and consume objective facts about what we are hearing and seeing.  Mostly we cannot be bothered. Our heads are busy trying to analyze the merits of one popular movie over another so we will know which one to see if we go to the theater.  Plus, we want to see the same movies and shows our friends have seen so we can add to the so-called conversation.  We want to have something cogent to contribute.  Does anybody know what “cogent” is anymore? 

Our heroes these days are the trivia experts. They are so smart! How do they KNOW all that stuff??  And why are there SO MANY game shows based on trivia??  And apps.  There are a few trillion apps for trivia-mongers.  What’s up with that?

How do I decide between ‘ranch,’ ‘honey mustard,’ and ‘barbecue’ dipping sauce?



I am genuinely concerned that we might experience actual physical pain if we find ourselves called upon to honestly THINK about something.  We are just so used to reacting; i.e., without thinking. 

Our thinking seems to be limited to mundane decision-making about trivial matters; and it is not helping our physical and mental well-being. [Ask your doctor if thinking is right for you.]

BRAIN GAMES

We try to challenge ourselves with things like Sudoku and Word Search and Crosswords; or maybe we can help those Hallmark Mystery detectives figure out who done it?

Can we get ourselves out of this scary “Escape Room”?

Do we understand the difference between a democracy and a republic?  Do we know how to hold our representatives accountable for their constituencies?  Can we sort through the various statistics that supposedly tell us about employment rates, taxes, gross domestic product, national debt, trade deficits, etc etc etc?  Why do we think there should or should not be a border wall?  Are celebrities really our best source for political and social information and understanding?

Can we get beyond stereotypes, generalizations, prejudices, and dogmatism?

We have a lot of thinking to do, and I dare say, some acting, too.
 
Not “pretending you are somebody else” acting, but actual active action-packed acting.

Like, doing stuff.

At least, I think we do.  What do you think?

Go to your room and think about what you haven’t done.




NOTE: No offense intended toward any and all Fritz’s that may be reading or otherwise exposed to this article. No Fritz was harmed in the writing of this article.  I do not now nor have I ever had a cousin named Fritz. This is not the Fritz you are looking for. Subject to change without notice. Actual results may vary. Fasten seatbelt. Keep hands and feet inside the ride at all times. Batteries not included. Apply to affected area only. Keep away from people who may or may not consider thinking about it.


2/18/2015

Consuming Fire

On 2 February 2015, my house burned to the ground.  We got out in our pajamas.

It is quite a process "starting over."

Some (most?) of my other blogs depend on collections of source material - photography, primarily - that was destroyed in the fire.  For this one, I depend on my head, my heart, and my hands; and the discretionary time to compose a post.

Over the past couple of weeks, our time has been devoted to shock, disbelief, grief, relief (that we got out alive), about a million phone calls to service providers and creditors, rebuilding lost wardrobes and sundry, insurance concerns, and on and on and on...

During one of my many phone calls, the service representative commented on my calm demeanor and healthy humor.  I told him it is because I know where my treasure is, and it is not in this world.

Although many cherished possessions were lost in the fire, all of it is just 'stuff' that will remain in this world when I pass into the next.  Having it all be gone so suddenly, involuntarily, is shocking for sure; but it is also liberating.  Among the many emotions I am experiencing there has been a persistent sense of freedom.  No longer burdened or bound to or anxious about the mountains of accumulated worldly trappings (appropriate term!), we are free to rebuild with more conscious intention than we have ever previously enjoyed.

Also, we are more free to see God's face and hear his voice.  Not that we were not already looking and listening; and not that we did not already know in our hearts that all of our stuff was just stuff.  But it is so easy to let 'stuff' get in the way of building intimate relationship with Almighty God.  Anything that comes between us and God is an idol. Anything. Possessions, relationships, attitudes, traditions, ideologies.

Scripture tells us repeatedly (for good reason) that we must not look back, we must not be afraid, we must look forward, press on toward the mark, keep our eyes on Yahweh, love him and trust him.

Job 1:21 - " The LORD gives and the LORD takes away.  Blessed be the NAME of the LORD."

Baruch HaShem
(Blessed be The NAME)

Wow. Right after I typed those last few lines, this song came up on my playlist! Seriously. Not even kidding.

BLESSED BE THE NAME (From Job)   (click to hear it!)

New beginnings.

1/29/2015

Creativity

I am a convinced believer in the power of creativity.  Doing creative things is deeply therapeutic.  Or, at least, it can be.

In fact, Rule #39 in my personal list of Rules for Life is: Do something creative every day.

Now, creativity is subjective, perhaps.  It is certainly relative.  Eye of the beholder, and all that, ya know.

Create for your own mental and spiritual health.  Don't make it about pleasing anyone but yourself.

[OK. Some people make a living being creative, and often they must create things that are marketable or in alignment with a specific commission.  Still therapeutic.  In that case, my caution would be, "Don't let the necessary boundaries quench your inspiration."]

Recording one's thoughts in a blog is creative.  Writing, painting, drawing, doing crafts, sewing, sculpting, cooking, dancing, making music... the list is long - flower arranging, interior decorating, designing a website, building a house, making furniture, on and on.

So, it's not like there is a paltry list of activities from which to choose when one wants to do something creative.  Find something you enjoy doing, and do it!

The therapy is in the sense of accomplishment, even before your 'project' is complete.  A work in progress is something to anticipate, think about, be inspired by.  The process itself is life-affirming.

The therapy is also in the distraction.  Focusing on something creative for a while and not being overwhelmed by whatever 'drudgery' might crowd your normal daily doings.

And it does not have to be something you hope or expect to see in a world-class gallery or on a best-seller list some day.  You may be the only one who ever sees it!  Lots of creative projects are not permanent.  The point is not to create something for public recognition.  It is just the simple satisfaction of doing something that leads to a beautiful result, even if it is only beautiful to you.

Actually, even if you do not think your result is beautiful, the process of creating something is usually more meaningful than the resulting object or memento.

Be creative.

Life awaits.

1/27/2015

Center of the Universe

"...everyone's replaceable... you are not the center of the universe.  If you leave, someone will replace you, the circle will close... That lesson has been helpful because it is really easy...to think that you've got to be involved in everything."  ~ Kristin Muhlner, CEO of NewBrand Analytics, a provider of social media monitoring

Well, OK, then.

My head understands and my heart believes that I am not the center of the universe.  But occasionally, perhaps as recently as this morning, I do not act like I understand this.

The fresh interpretation Ms. Muhlner places on this ancient altruism - "you are not the center of the universe" - is revealing.  I know there have been plenty of times when I thought I had "to be involved in everything," even while I "knew" that I was not the center of the universe.

I have also found it easy to think that "things will fall apart" if/when I am no longer involved in something.  Or I might break out that old saying, "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."

How is that NOT the epitome of self-centeredness, hubris, and vanity?

I confess. Sometimes I have had the distinct sensation - based on what I considered to be observable, measurable human behavior in my immediate vicinity - that I was truly surrounded by profoundly stupid people.  [I know: for some families 'stupid' is the other 's' word]

I think most people have that sensation from time to time.  It is disconcerting; even frustrating.

So, what I am figuring out, or reminding myself of more often, is that people are people.  Tough one for me to have such a hard time deciphering, eh? 

Everyone has a story.  We are all operating from a perspective that is the result of years of experiences, which have effectively wrapped each of us in our own unique cocoon of life-filters.  How we view our world today is based on everything we have done over the course of our lives; everyone we have known; every book we have read; every movie, every television program, classroom, nature hike, theme park, accomplishment, disappointment, etc etc.

This is not a new idea, of course.  Philosophers have waxed eloquent on this topic for centuries.

Application in my own life is the thing.

I want to SEE my friends, family, coworkers, colleagues, peers, acquaintances, strangers, celebrities - to see them all as human, beautiful, interesting, worthy of attention - to share, to learn, to listen, to teach, to appreciate, to love.

I am NOT the center of the universe.  I am surrounded by many special universes, constellations, galaxies of humanity.  Fellow-sojourners whose actions and reactions spring from LIFE; from having lived through their own sequence of interactions that is making each of them a living work of art.

Time to enjoy the moving art gallery in which I live and work every day.

1/13/2015

TMI

I work in an information-rich environment.

I suppose most people exist in the midst of roiling reams of multimedia input opportunities these days.  We have it coming at us from multiple outlets all day, everyday.

But my job actually involves intentionally inviting information to intrude into my inmost being.  Truly.  I go looking for information to ingest.  And then I create some information of my own based on all the information I have consumed. 

It's like making snowballs, though.  I take a bunch of information, pack it tightly and quickly into a projectile, dispatch it toward its target, and before I even witness the disintegration of my latest creation on the  back of my target's head, I am already busy creating my next ball of pre-masticated data.

Seriously.   It seems like much of my analytical effort explodes briefly into a million sparkling bits of spectacular crystalline wonder, barely noticed by the intended target.  In fact, too often the target is laughing and lobbing their own missile in my direction.

The results of all this lobbing back and forth is supposed to be increased understanding of whatever it is we are analyzing at the moment; whether it be business processes, workflows, performance metrics, status of projects, market research, or any of dozens of other human capital assessments.

Sometimes I think the main thing we are accomplishing is making more stuff to be stored in the archives.  Sometimes it does not seem to help the current situation much.  In fact, usually by the time we have written our incisive analysis the leadership has moved on to the next exhibit in the rotating display cases that are the various sections, divisions, departments, and branches who are valiantly endeavoring to prove themselves worthy of retention.

So, for those of us poking, peering, pondering, pilfering, and postulating, it often appears that our efforts were for naught.  At best. 

Every time I write a new "Recommendations" section to crown my analysis, I am entertaining thoughts in the back of my head - remembrances, I should say - of how often my recommendations have been taken to heart; or even noticed, for that matter.  I'm pretty sure I could count on one hand the times I have had a recommendation actually accepted, implemented, and praised.

Well, that turned into a rant, I guess.

When I began to compose this post I was thinking about the irony of how overwhelmed I sometimes feel by the tsunami of information coming my way everyday, when in fact I am literally asking for it.

It helps to have good music playing through it all.

12/23/2014

What? Am I Nuts?

Don't answer that.

So, a couple of days ago, I started my EIGHTH blog here on blogger.  I also have a couple on WordPress.

This new one is called Image Horde.

I started it because I had been experimenting with photo collages, and I wanted to put them up someplace where they would be time stamped for posterity.  You know, just in case I become hugely famous and need to prove that I created these pieces and when.  'Cause, ya know, THAT's gonna happen.

But also, I just wanted to share these 'artworks.'

AND I would like to get some feedback on them.

Are they fun?  Are they appealing?  Are they disgusting?  Are they amateurish, passe, boorish?  Are they legal?  What kinds of images make the best collages?  Should they be themed? Random? Color-coded?

I know there are plenty of high-speed photo manipulation softwares out there.  [I know.  'Software' is inherently plural, so the 's' is superfluous, but whatever.]

I specifically want to keep it 'primitive.'

I want my pieces to look like quilts, so I am not trying to make sure it all blends together flowingly.  [apparently 'flowingly' is not a recognized word.  Too bad.]

Anyway, welcome Image Horde to my burgeoning collection of bloggishness.

[What?? 'bloggishness' is not a word, either?  You're kidding, right? Heheh.]

12/19/2014

No, seriously.

I have no idea whether four and a half years is any kind of internet blog hiatus record, but I also do not care one whit.  I think I don't want this blog to be entirely filled with posts about blog hiatii.  OK, I don't think 'hiatii' is the correct plural for hiatus.  Pretty sure it should be hiatuses.

Which, for some reason reminds me of a children's Christmas song from my So-Cal childhood.  "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."  I was the youngest of five children.  We had this song on a small yellow vinyl record.  It was the size of a 45, but it was played at 33 1/3.

I remember some of the lyrics: "Oh, I want a hippopotamus for Christmas. A hippopotamus is all I want.  No crocodiles, or rhinoceroses.  All that I want is hippopotamuses."

The internet is such a great thing.  I just went and did a Google/Wikipedia search - right in the middle of composing this post! - and found a wealth of information about this song that brings back such memories for me.

Released in 1953, it was written by John Rox and sung by Gayla Peevey, who was only 10 years old at the time.


There are even a couple of YouTube renditions; one of which is Gayla appearing on a TV show in 1953.


My memory of the lyrics is a little off, but hey - we're talkin' nearly sixty years past!

Hiatus, schmiatus.