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On Going to War

When deciding whether to deploy troops into combat, the last person a leader should consult is the "armchair warrior"—someone who sees only the glory of victory and the thrill of defeating an opponent. Instead, leaders should turn to battle-tested commanders who have faced the weight of sending soldiers to their potential deaths. These veterans see little glory in conflict, making them precisely the leaders needed to prosecute a war wisely, make sound tactical decisions, and minimize casualties.

TIPS ABOUT OBSERVATION

Developing strong observation skills in college pays off both in the classroom and in your future career. In the Classroom and on Exams An observant student attends every class and takes thorough notes, paying close attention to the specific points a professor emphasizes. Because exams are almost always drawn directly from lecture content, these notes become an indispensable study tool. I'm constantly surprised how many students overlook this simple, high-yield strategy. In the Workplace Observational skills allow you to assess your surroundings, understand the current operational context, and identify pressing problems. Rather than relying solely on theoretical models, which can sometimes misguide your efforts, an observant employee uses real-time context to ask the right questions, form solid hypotheses, and make practical decisions. Theory provides a foundation, but direct personal observation is what drives success.

Instant Do It Yourself Wisdom

Introduction. Wisdom often carries over through maxims, aphorisms, proverbs, and truisms. They are often stated vaguely, in ways that resonate differently with different readers but carry a similar message. Most are a single sentence, sometimes two. They tell us, guide us, and sometimes suggest wise but honest responses to happenstances, prospects, and events. Of course, the major tomes of Aristotle, Plato, Aquinas, Kant, and others can require years of study to profit from. Many well-known maxims come from their writings. You want to be wise, the pride of your family, or the pride of the workplace. How to do this is a good question, but one that has a ready answer. You simply invent it. Here we give methods with examples, some cooked up at home and many from the literature. We call it do-it-yourself DIY) wisdom. One convention: If I’ve found the maxim, say in books of quotes, it is displayed in quotes; if it is my construction, no quotes are used. Do It Yourself Wisdo...

The Seven Degrees of Understanding

1. Introduction Understanding is not a binary condition but a continuum of cognitive states that determines how effectively a problem solver can engage with a challenge. While dictionaries define understanding as knowing meaning, recognizing mechanisms, or apprehending behavior, problem-solving reveals a far more nuanced hierarchy. This essay presents understanding as a developmental sequence ranging from complete misconception to innovative mastery, examining how each level corresponds to distinct cognitive capacities and pedagogical needs. We also mention how AI may fit within our hierarchy. Why connect with problem-solving? The answer is simple: everything you propose to do can be cast as a problem. For example, to even discuss what is “happiness,” you first cast it as a problem, and then focus your available problem-solving tools upon it. Every question is, in short, a problem. 2. Hierarchy of Understanding The following levels...

How Do You Plead?

Whatever your politics, this one is good.

FOFO – the Fear of Finding Out

1. Introduction We propose a new psychological condition and acronym: FOFO – the Fear of Finding Out. This condition compels people to stick to their ideas and beliefs regardless of contrary evidence. They resist changing because of this fear. Though the acronym may be new, FOFO describes a genuine psychological pattern. It sits at the intersection of several established phenomena, though none capture the specific affective component (the fear) quite as precisely. Naturally, cognitive bias fits nicely within this framework, though not usually as a fear of discovery. FIFO is particularly dangerous when it shows up in problem-solving situations. 2. The Architecture of FOFO This fear operates on multiple levels, including epistemic threat, identity entanglement, cost of conviction, and the ostrich effect. Additionally, it seriously affects problem-solving skills. In the following paragraphs, we describe these issues in general. My ...

Movies from the 30's and 40's

Back in the olden times, well before spandex, they still got the message across. Satin. Today, they are sexy. Back then, they were feminine.

A few thoughts for Friday`

A. You can only be truly happy if you've been very sad. B. You can never appreciate wealth unless you've been poor. C. If you never taste a bad apple, you can never appreciate a good one. - Turkish maxim.

The Perils of Modern Education

The Perils of Modern Education Years ago, when I was in school, teachers faced a time-worn educational challenge. Though succinct and easy to state, it was often difficult to achieve. It still is. Children needed to develop the ability to: · Think critically. · Ask meaningful questions. · Explore and investigate. · Express their own ideas. · Solve problems independently. · Learn through interaction with teachers and peers. Education is the most powerful engine a human being can have. This list summarizes the key learning methods over the centuries. They have produced kings, generals, engineers, inventors, accountants, and professors. Notice there is no mention of technology. Yet, technology is most important in modern times. So, we should add a new method. · ...