The Less I Understand a Problem the More Strongly I Insist that I am Right.

The Pound on the Table Defense

No shame!  The problems we face in the world today are complex and we are expected to have opinions about them.

Yet, we have neither the time to study them, nor the extensive information about them that judgement requires.  We take our opinions, so to speak, “off the shelf.”

I do the same.  I expect that others will.  As I said, “no shame.”

My fear, though, is this.  The more we borrow ideas to fill the gaps—the more closed minded about them we seem to be.  This isn’t an immutable law, just unfortunately the norm.

It’s like this.  The more people know about a subject, the more doubts they have and the more open minded they become. Familiarity and knowledge always provide exceptions and contrarian possibilities and suggest nuance and discernment.  When you lack full understanding about something, you get swept downstream if you don’t hold on tight to an anchored log. And, your best defense is table pounding, or a grim no comment. 

In this present world we must make choices.  The alternatives deserve respect.  Distinctions are critical and we don’t often (or ever?) have the advantage of a lifetime of experience, or even a weekend studying several detailed reports. 

We can, though, try to respect well thought-out “answers” and be patient, when our friends on the other side get too far down in the weeds.  And we can ask for a little patience and understanding, if we defend too readily and don’t always show a willingness to hear the other side (sides).