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| Holmes |
In
his 2015 book Nonsense, former
Harvard research coordinator Jamie Holmes explained how to boost creativity
through “the power of not knowing.” At
the same time, he inadvertently explained the rise of such political figures as
Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders.
As
Holmes pointed out, humans do not like ambiguity. We like answers, everything neatly explained
in nice little boxes. When that is not
possible, we become creative. We look
for reasons. In fact, ambiguity drives
creativity. Holmes cited multiple
examples how the lack of one definitive solution led to multiple creative
answers, including the telephone, better vehicles, easier ways to transfer
money and so on.
However,
politicians are expected to have plans, simple answers to complex
problems. If you want to end the influx
of illegal immigrants – no matter that the numbers have fallen in recent years
and associated problems are minimal – build a wall. Simple answer, even though the cost would be
astronomical and unfeasible.
 |
| Great wall of Mexico? |
Too
expensive? Mexico will pay for it, even though Mexico, as a sovereign country,
may have alternative uses for its revenue.
The U.S. has no way to force any country, must less Mexico, to spend a
dime. In the past, if there’s something we
wanted, we just slipped the country the money to cover costs anyway.
Want
to solve inequity in the social system?
Just change the tax code. No
matter that’s been tried numerous times, creating the highly complex code no
one understands. Moreover, there’s no
evidence that such gerrymandering will actually help resolve social ills, which
are deeply ingrained and related to far more than income.
Climate Change? Deny it. Trust religion, the most
simplistic of all attempts to resolve ambiguity. Religion thrives by asserting “truths” as if
anything a member of the clergy proclaims is actually gospel. Don’t worry about death: “true believers” are
rewarded. Others are punished. Who are “true believers?” The ones we say are.
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| Heaven? |
Such
thinking drives terrorists to kill opponents, because they will be “rewarded”
in their imaginary Valhalla.
Unfortunately,
there are no clear cut answers to the ISIS threat. There’s no obvious solution to Climate
Change, to immigration or to the disappearance of fresh water, increased pollution, impact
of chemicals on our lives and more. The
most creative and intelligent members of society will need to address those
concerns. Many are. Ideas are being debated; proposals are being
made.
You
won’t hear them in political debates or rallies where politicians pander to the
crowds’ desires for instant, complete answers.
The work is being done in the quiet laboratories and in the minds of unheralded
people who recognize that the lack of a concrete answer opens the arena to
creativity.
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| No answers here |
Such
solutions will require flexibility, experience, awareness of repercussions of
what seems like an answer, ramifications of any decision and the willingness to
change minds and accept the ambiguity of reality.
In
the interim, we are all burdened by politicians who are spouting what in reality,
as Holmes described in another context, is nonsense.
Worse,
they attract hordes of followers demanding simple answers.
Long-time
religious historian Bill Lazarus regularly writes about religion and religious
history. He also speaks at various
religious organizations throughout Florida.
You can reach him at www.williamplazarus.net. He is the author of the famed Unauthorized
Biography of Nostradamus; The Last Testament of Simon Peter; The Gospel Truth: Where Did the Gospel
Writers Get Their Information; Noel:
The Lore and Tradition of Christmas Carols; and Dummies Guide to Comparative
Religion. His most recent book is Passover in Prison, which
details abuse of Jewish inmates in American prisons. His books are available on Amazon.com,
Kindle, bookstores and via various publishers.
He can also be followed on Twitter.
You
can enroll in his on-line class, Comparative Religion for Dummies, at
http://www.udemy.com/comparative-religion-for-dummies/?promote=1
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