Breadth

I am particularly interested in the economy and the future of our communities. I’m particularly interested in the efficacy and accountability of the institutions – like education and media - that focus on the pillars upon which our economy and society operates. Which brings me to my rant. Our overreliance on the scientific method and the hard skills of science, technology, engineering, and math have diminished our ability to think. As evidence is the unintended consequences of policies, programs, and laws that fail to take into consideration the increasing complexity and connectedness of the world we live in.

Maybe my rant reflects an older guy’s frustration with the ongoing crap that makes the evening news? Maybe I’m tired of being told what to do and believe by so-called experts. Full disclosure, I’m your typical American male – if there is one - who holds on dearly to his personal agency and independence. But my frustration is not because of my values as much as it’s because of the ample evidence that things are off the rails. Which brings me to the question, why is that?

I am not one who simply shrugs his shoulders when he hears and reads stories of colleges and universities discontinuing their humanities programs. It’s not unusual to hear someone decrying the unmarketability of liberal arts degrees. As parents tell little Johnny or Susie to pursue specific degrees because of the “guaranteed job”, I wonder if they will ever develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate a world desperate for sustainable solutions? When did we arrive at a point when the past becomes irrelevant to the future? When did we become closed to asking probing “what if” questions about the unintended consequences of our ideas? When did we stop questioning whether the metrics we embrace to measure our success are the right metrics? See, I believe our challenges are more insidious and cultural than we think.

I believe the world needs more people who can think critically and systemically, and who are equipped with exceptional communication skills that are receiver focused. I embrace a resurgence in the liberal arts and a new generation of young people who embrace understanding the origins of thought and the complexity of the current and emerging world. Yep, I’m an old-fashioned curmudgeon who some will argue is out of touch with the “real” world. I’m okay with that. I’m a thinker who thinks he gets it. The operative world is “think”.