> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >>>"The study points to a total lack of reason in political >>> decision-making." >>> >>>"The result is that partisan beliefs are calcified, and the person can >>>learn very little from new data," Westen said. >> >> >> Which is why a system of belief based on truth and the correct >> interpretation of facts is so important >> >> Part of the problem with our mind is that it soaks up information at a >> prodiguous rate and then sets a baseline that it considers as `normal' >> based on what we have experienced. >> >> Then whenever we run into something that doesn't fit our own particular >> belief system and pushes our thought patterns off the baseline our brain >> considers normal our brain reacts by inventing a reality that tries to >> move it back to the area it feels normal. Hence politicians... >> >> Sadly people aren't very self aware about their own cognitive processes >> and their ability to 'think' and so we have reaction to foreign thoughts >> in ways we see documented nightly on the news. > > Metacognition is not a solution. Believe it or not, politicians are > generally pretty smart folks. They have a skill set that is just > phenomenal. > > What we need to do is *LISTEN* to other people as though we are hearing > things for the first time. We need to develop a sense of wonder about > what we hear. If I may, Become childlike. That is why certain traits > are associated with scientists in the hard sciences. (Unfortunately, > many confuse childlike with childish.) > > I may be prejudiced, but I believe that programmers and computer > technical folk have a advantage in this because the field is usually a > strict meritocracy. We just need to apply the same outlook to politics. > Not as easy as it sounds. > > -- Alma I'm glad I posted my comment because your reply gave me some real food for thought. I love it when I can get another facet on a subject because I have more blind corners than a mountain road. I tend to find myself reversing back up a thought path and choosing a different fork because of things people say on this list.
I have always found the meritocracy ideal very appealing only I wish I was smarter, and could concentrate for longer.... sigh. Your comment on childlike explains why my friend who is a statistician at Newcastle Uni tends to appear childlike on occassion. Damn smart though speaks 3 self taught languages .... sheesh I envy the brainy. _______________________________________________ [email protected] Unsub/Pause/Etc : http://mail.linux-sxs.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/general
