virgin islands scene

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.
-- Henry David Thoreau
 

 

Monday, January 3, 2000

Objectivity

How can you clearly see something when you already think you know everything about it? Your existing knowledge can greatly magnify the importance of new things to be learned, and yet it can also bias and distort what you see.

You tend to observe and experience what you expect to experience. And yet your expectations are based on what has already happened, on what you have already learned. That could prevent you from seeing anything new.

Often, the best way to truly observe something is by temporarily forgetting what you already know about it. That helps you to see what is really there.

Knowledge is powerful and it usually works in your favor. But the power of knowledge can also work against you. Thinking you know it all could prevent you from learning anything new.

Don’t let yourself be blinded by your own knowledge. Keep your mind open and make every effort to clearly and objectively see what is in front of you.

— Ralph Marston

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