I love the premise of these thoughts. I agree that the divergence between evidence-based science and proven hypotheses to the lowered bar of social acceptance is a key issue in today's society. I appreciate the fine line you are working to navigate between the value of DEI initiatives in education and business. They certainly have value and a place in the educational paradigms of both. However, the ONE THING that is most important in the growth of an individual in either education or business is the skill to determine what is relevant to moving the needle toward a goal. The only way to do that is to remove feelings from the equation. That doesn't mean they are to be ignored or, worse, disregarded. It means that we need to focus on teaching the ability to be present, acknowledge feelings as humans, and separate them from decision-making. The challenge with this is that the vast majority of people go through life in the exact opposite way because of the 3000 decisions a day the brain makes; the vast majority of them are made from emotion and then rationalized or justified with logic. I don't believe we are going to change that. What we need to change is the awareness around it and carve out the space necessary to allow for the time and systems to go back to the scientific process for the critical decisions that guide our societies, cultures, and personal values. It's beautiful to identify this challenge; I struggle with the solution.
Well said Travis. Also scary thoughts about the division resentment and other issues these teachings may unintentionally be fostering in our next generation.
I love the premise of these thoughts. I agree that the divergence between evidence-based science and proven hypotheses to the lowered bar of social acceptance is a key issue in today's society. I appreciate the fine line you are working to navigate between the value of DEI initiatives in education and business. They certainly have value and a place in the educational paradigms of both. However, the ONE THING that is most important in the growth of an individual in either education or business is the skill to determine what is relevant to moving the needle toward a goal. The only way to do that is to remove feelings from the equation. That doesn't mean they are to be ignored or, worse, disregarded. It means that we need to focus on teaching the ability to be present, acknowledge feelings as humans, and separate them from decision-making. The challenge with this is that the vast majority of people go through life in the exact opposite way because of the 3000 decisions a day the brain makes; the vast majority of them are made from emotion and then rationalized or justified with logic. I don't believe we are going to change that. What we need to change is the awareness around it and carve out the space necessary to allow for the time and systems to go back to the scientific process for the critical decisions that guide our societies, cultures, and personal values. It's beautiful to identify this challenge; I struggle with the solution.
Well said Travis. Also scary thoughts about the division resentment and other issues these teachings may unintentionally be fostering in our next generation.
I’d be curious as to our fellow alum’s input on the subject: https://research.jhu.edu/our-team/avpr/
Wiggs is still one of my close friends! I’ll ask him to take a look.