I think you are right that humans finished up with lots of things that simply “work” without gathering data and analysing it. In fact I have mentioned to Tomas my observation that it is natural for there to be constant conflict between different ideas and different ways of doing things. Over time things that work will survive these chall…
I think you are right that humans finished up with lots of things that simply “work” without gathering data and analysing it. In fact I have mentioned to Tomas my observation that it is natural for there to be constant conflict between different ideas and different ways of doing things. Over time things that work will survive these challenges.
Finding out what works involves making mistakes and learning from them, both as an individual and as a society. This is a lot easier if there is a “safe space” (e.g. Uncharted Territories) where free exchange of ideas is encouraged and the price of making mistakes is not a barrier to trying new things. I remember having small group tutorials as a medical student and making a conscious effort to answer when our tutors asked the group questions. I made mistakes, but the correct answers stuck in my head much better than if I had just sat and listened to others or been told the answer. I realised that once I had qualified there would be much less room for error. It is much more difficult for someone labelled an expert to admit to being wrong or even to say I don’t know.
As far as the balance of power goes, I would say that globalisation and more leisure time allowed the merchants/financiers and the artists/entertainers to greatly increase their share. I think that the internet revolution put more power into the hands of the computer scientists, but as you say, certain groups have now learned how to better use the battleground of the internet and social media for their own purposes.
I think you are right that humans finished up with lots of things that simply “work” without gathering data and analysing it. In fact I have mentioned to Tomas my observation that it is natural for there to be constant conflict between different ideas and different ways of doing things. Over time things that work will survive these challenges.
Finding out what works involves making mistakes and learning from them, both as an individual and as a society. This is a lot easier if there is a “safe space” (e.g. Uncharted Territories) where free exchange of ideas is encouraged and the price of making mistakes is not a barrier to trying new things. I remember having small group tutorials as a medical student and making a conscious effort to answer when our tutors asked the group questions. I made mistakes, but the correct answers stuck in my head much better than if I had just sat and listened to others or been told the answer. I realised that once I had qualified there would be much less room for error. It is much more difficult for someone labelled an expert to admit to being wrong or even to say I don’t know.
As far as the balance of power goes, I would say that globalisation and more leisure time allowed the merchants/financiers and the artists/entertainers to greatly increase their share. I think that the internet revolution put more power into the hands of the computer scientists, but as you say, certain groups have now learned how to better use the battleground of the internet and social media for their own purposes.