Thinking about thinking

Thursday, October 17, 2019

"I'll think about it" :  a delay tactic, meaning I'm not ready or unwilling to make a decision now.

but do you, do I, "think about it"? 

Most of the time, no. The question or topic is pushed to back of mind and not thought about at all until circumstances bring to the fore again. If lucky, the sub-conscious has done our work for us and now we make a good call. It's a crap shoot though.

What would real "thinking about it" mean?

I remember Duncan, who really meant those words. He would go lie down for an hour. On his back, eyes open, but perhaps closed also, and actively engage with the topic for the set period. On arising he could expound at length on the topic, because he truly had considered things. Asked it questions, along multiple lines, and followed the answers to their ends, and asked them questions.

For me that tends only happen when writing. When I try to do it my head, if I try at all, what really happens is I just spin the same thought hamster-wheel, endlessly. I just kind of let it happen, in it’s own way.

It doesn't have to be that way. I could be an active agent, consciously picking up the tools of enquiry (inquiry?) and apply them. -- Who, what, when, where. how? -- remember those? Grade 10 or 11 journalism module. We were taught them because they're useful, proven through time, by countless people. The wisdom of our ancestors.

Thinking.

A word I toss lightly and then think I'm doing it, but that's not it. Or at least not what it could be. It's the seed. So, lets apply ourselves to thinking, and see what develops.

Onward Ho!

Reposted - https://vmst.io/@maphew/113179502024413289