I certainly feel this myself as well, paralysis by analysis/perfection. What worries me the most personally is that plenty of brilliant people have had wrong opinions (factually wrong, strictly speaking (I recommend watching “Thomas Sowell Intellectuals and Society” on the Hoover Institution TH-cam channel)). That it’s incredibly easy to hold some opinion that _seems_ or _feels_ self-evident despite not having any evidence to back up your perspective. That I know so little about so much that chances are I’m wrong with a few (or many) of my beliefs (only I don’t know where I might be wrong, because if I did know, then I’d fix those areas). And who wants to share opinions that might be wrong? There’s are risks to that, namely, the harm done misinforming people, any guilt that might come with that, shame that comes from scathing criticism (or worse, legitimate bullying), etc. My partial answer (but the best I’ve got so far) for myself is as follows. Conduct yourself (the general “your”) with humility knowing that the world is complex and nuanced and that your understanding is likely incomplete (and perhaps make your degree of knowledge known to your audience). Align yourself with the truth (evidence, history, statistics) to the best of your ability. And after all of that, have the courage to step forth and stumble stupidly. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. It’s rather comforting to know that I’m not the only one that feels the way I do (and now I realize that I’m probably far from the only one that feels this way). The topic of leading a meaningful life is rather interesting to me, and I’m looking forward to reading your essay, if you do ever put it out (no pressure).
Hey Rob, Hope you're well man. I liked this part of what you said "My partial answer (but the best I’ve got so far) for myself is as follows. Conduct yourself (the general “your”) with humility knowing that the world is complex and nuanced and that your understanding is likely incomplete (and perhaps make your degree of knowledge known to your audience)." I think that this pressure that we put on ourselves to be perfect is a really tough one, especially when we pair it with timelines. If I may assume I think your paralysis comes from a desire to be precisely correct, which one can never fully be. I am not sure if my concern is so much so related to being precise or if I struggle with just feeling like my opinions are valid amongst those who are "experts" or who just know more.
'Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine" said Alan Turing. Changes in the world came about by those who saw things that no one imagined.
I certainly feel this myself as well, paralysis by analysis/perfection.
What worries me the most personally is that plenty of brilliant people have had wrong opinions (factually wrong, strictly speaking (I recommend watching “Thomas Sowell Intellectuals and Society” on the Hoover Institution TH-cam channel)). That it’s incredibly easy to hold some opinion that _seems_ or _feels_ self-evident despite not having any evidence to back up your perspective. That I know so little about so much that chances are I’m wrong with a few (or many) of my beliefs (only I don’t know where I might be wrong, because if I did know, then I’d fix those areas).
And who wants to share opinions that might be wrong? There’s are risks to that, namely, the harm done misinforming people, any guilt that might come with that, shame that comes from scathing criticism (or worse, legitimate bullying), etc.
My partial answer (but the best I’ve got so far) for myself is as follows. Conduct yourself (the general “your”) with humility knowing that the world is complex and nuanced and that your understanding is likely incomplete (and perhaps make your degree of knowledge known to your audience). Align yourself with the truth (evidence, history, statistics) to the best of your ability. And after all of that, have the courage to step forth and stumble stupidly.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. It’s rather comforting to know that I’m not the only one that feels the way I do (and now I realize that I’m probably far from the only one that feels this way). The topic of leading a meaningful life is rather interesting to me, and I’m looking forward to reading your essay, if you do ever put it out (no pressure).
Hey Rob,
Hope you're well man.
I liked this part of what you said "My partial answer (but the best I’ve got so far) for myself is as follows. Conduct yourself (the general “your”) with humility knowing that the world is complex and nuanced and that your understanding is likely incomplete (and perhaps make your degree of knowledge known to your audience)."
I think that this pressure that we put on ourselves to be perfect is a really tough one, especially when we pair it with timelines. If I may assume I think your paralysis comes from a desire to be precisely correct, which one can never fully be. I am not sure if my concern is so much so related to being precise or if I struggle with just feeling like my opinions are valid amongst those who are "experts" or who just know more.
'Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine" said Alan Turing. Changes in the world came about by those who saw things that no one imagined.
níl foirfeacht ann riamh... nothing is perfect. do what you can, with what you have, where you can...
Perfection should never be the enemy of essential.