Courage To Explore

We are faced each day with a choice on how to spend our time. Do I plan to stretch my abilities? Or maybe, will I tackle a problem I’ve been putting off for months, like taxes, cleaning out that closet or store room? Or maybe I will finally get around to exploring the internet for information on issues that matter to me?

That latter category – issues that matter to me – is a tough one. It is more involved and requires discipline to follow. For example, I have the name of the issue – immigration, maybe – but what makes this an issue? Do I know with certainty what the issue is? Well, that’s a good starting point. Here is a list I work through.

1.      Identify a tag name for the issue you are exploring

2.      Define why this is an issue; what are the impacts of the issue on our society if we leave the issue unresolved or improved?

3.      What are the possible solutions to the problem? What options exist, from tweaking for some improvement all the way to a full solution where the problem no longer exists.

4.      What are the obstacles to ‘fixing’ the problem, where fixing it means the issue no longer exists?

5.      What are the likely costs of each optional solution?

6.      Identify the likely supporters of each option

7.      Identify the likely enemies of each option

8.      Consider the practical reality of what can be done in the real world

9.      Now prioritize each of the options

10.   Choose the top two solutions to work for

11.   Write a summary of all of the above so you understand the basis upon which you have reached your conclusions.

12.   Share your summary or a handy recap of it to others: Facebook, friends, blog, letter to editor, etc.

13.   Discuss reactions to your suggestions. Be positive and listen to what others are saying so you truly understand their position, assumptions and practicality of ideas.

14.   Keep the discussion going and hope that others will join in and a ‘movement’ begins.

15.   Be willing to get involved in changing the region/state/nation on solving the issue.

16.   Also be willing to accept improvements as a sign that better things may come along as society works out larger, longer lasting solutions.

17.   Do all of the above with every ‘issue’ you encounter or that is important to you.

18.   Avoid dealing with others on problems you haven’t thought out yet.

19.   Insist that opinion makers think through their comments so slogans are avoided. Such are not discussions and do not help others understand the issue.

20.   Don’t know about the issue? Listen and keep quiet until you do understand the issue.

At any given time we are flooded with issues that matter. We cannot possibly do justice with all of them at the same time. However, if we remain disciplined, we can challenge others to use their time and logic power wisely in actually advancing toward a solution to any given issue.

All of the above is not just the province of journalists, politicians, legislators or commentators. It is our job, each and every one of us. This is what we mean by We The People. We have work to do. Best we get to it.

March 30, 2021