Simple Solutions to Complex Problems

I was thinking about how we approach the problems and issues that we have
strong feelings about. It just seems to me, that all of us, at one point or
another, different people responding differently to these issues, analyze
and respond to these issues. Most of the issues that we have strong
opinions on, are really not simple, but very complex in nature. The more
complex the issue is, the more effort to takes to plough through the
advantages and disadvantages. Then of course we have our own internal
biases which affect how we look at these issues, which does not help in
trying to objectively analyze the issue. I remember a long time ago reading
a book titled Future Shock. One of the things the author talked about was
the concept of "over choice". He gave the example of common soap. When we
go to the supermarket, we are faced with a dizzying array of soaps to choose
from. Now, our brain wants to make the optimum choice, but the simple fact
that there are such a wide array of choices, makes that an almost, if not
impossible decision to make. So, in order to cope with that, we make the
decision of which soap we buy, more on emotion than logic. That it seems to
me is what we do on a whole range of hot topic issues we take a position on.
We will generally take a position on the issue, based on a simple set of
assumptions, which is not really a good way to come to a decision at all.

Alan Lichtenstein...

Good example, Jerry, and it does have a good deal of merit. Many people
say that some decisions ARE in reality simple, and that over
complicating them with variables that are insignificant clouds the basic
issue. And I'm sure that is true in some instances. But other issues,
as you assert, are indeed complex, and the variables which contribute to
them, not insignificant, so over-simplification leads to faulty decisions.

Problem is, who gets to decide the importance any one variable holds?
THAT, I assert, goes to underlying values and also intellect. Difficult
topics to broach.

Jerry Okamura...

I think the answer to your question is, that is our individual
responsibility, not the responsibility of others. Though I complain like a
stuck pig when I have difficulty getting the information I seek because
someone else has not helped me find the information I need, that is laziness
on my part, because I don't want to spend the time and effort to try and
find the information on my own.... It takes a lot of personal effort and
time to do it on your own.... It seems to me that is also a function of our
own built in biases, which impede our efforts. Finally, I think that it
does help to hear other viewpoinsts on the same subject matter because what
someone has to say about any particular topic, may light a bulb in our
heads, because we would have never thought of that on our own. For
instance, my admittedly tunnel vision about what I think is wrong with our
healthcare delivery system. I do not think I would have ever thought about
what is the basic argument that I have now been making for about thirty
years now, if it had not been for some Canadian economist, who I just happen
to hear on TV, making basically the same point.