Let us Reimagine

BEWARE the sentiment “reimagine”.  Lately, we’ve all heard so many politicians, frustrated with outcomes in some venue lament, “Let us reimagine …”  This very statement has basic implications. Foremost, it indicates an open call to make a big change, a fundamental change. It betrays little or no knowledge of what to do, nor ideas of what change of direction to take.  It demonstrates confusion and naivety.  .  It signals lofty and open-minded aspirations, but it betrays ignorance, as in a problem never before considered.

When at the “reimagine” stage, you are not even to the “concept” stage, let alone the design, testing, and validating stages. You are at no-where’s-ville. 

Here are a few examples heard on various news reports.  Note how helpful they are.

·        Smartphones cause compulsions. Compulsions cause confusion. Confusion causes anxiety. We should reimagine cell phones.

·        Our bridges are badly in disrepair, beyond recompense. We should reimagine bridges.

·        The border crisis seems beyond repair. We should reimagine our immigration policy.

·        The police forces are out of control.  We should reimagine policing.

With any search engine query, “Let us reimagine” and you will be delivered hundreds of instances of institutions, agencies, and persons using this dream-scape mantra toward improving life for citizens.