Making judgments without drawing conclusions is the hardest task we will ever have to apply in life. Although judgments and conclusions are closely related, they have unique characteristics when individually applied. To distinguish the difference between the two we must properly relate facts to our feelings and experiences. A JUDGEMENT allows us the opportunity to evaluate and make deductions based on experience or information. A CONCLUSION makes a definitive permanent explanation or expectation. The problem we have with many conclusions is whether or not they are supported by fact. Still, most of us will develop assumptions that reinforces our beliefs regardless of fact or truth. This can be regarded as or termed cognitive and/or confirmation bias. Just consider age old wives' tales and fables believed and embraced in the past. Thirteen has never been an unlucky number. Cracking our knuckles does not cause arthritis. Reading in dim light will not damage our eyes. Taking a bath while pregnant will not drown the fetus. However, a walnut can remove light furniture scratches and peanut butter will remove gum from hair. Everyone has to believe something! Whether we embrace superstitions or religious dogma it is a normal and natural thing to do. As we grow older, we learn and experience more. As a result, we are forced to abandon or redefine many of our beliefs to make sense of conflicting and confusing facts. This is called cognitive dissonance. We want to be sure that what we believe is actually true and therefore form our own logic to validate self-made theories. Is this where the saying comes from, "telling your own truth?" No one owns or possess their own truth. Maybe this is the response we give to fool ourselves that we are not embracing a lie? Many of us would rather fool ourselves rather than question or rebuild our embraced beliefs. What a fool believes he sees no wise man has the power to reason away. What seems to be is always better than nothing at all. Deception is the act of accepting a misunderstanding as truth or misapplying that belief incorrectly. To be deceived by anyone or anything we must first deceive ourselves. The application of knowledge and information is both an art and a skill that can be done incorrectly. The purpose of knowledge is to open our thinking to further enlightenment. Accumulated information is what that knowledge consists of. According to the Bible we are obligated to question things, prove all things; and hold fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Comparing similar things and circumstances is one of the most popular methods used in finding determinations and making judgments. Although comparisons are a great tool they cannot and should not be the only tool used in learning from what we experience in life. Comparing things allows us to feel, position and favor one thing over another through personal bias. Strong opinions tend to cause strong feelings.  Feelings form associations with experiences that we use as future guides. Remember, our sensory faculties tie directly into our feelings to warn and alert us of danger or opportunities in the environment. A disgusting smell warns us to leave the area, while an enchanting aroma alerts and beckons us to it. Is it correct to conclude that every "sweet" smell is an indication of opportunity and every "bad" smell indicates danger? Most soaps, cleaning products, deodorants and laundry detergents smell good, but you can't consume them.  Is that why we are warned to keep them out of the reach of children?  Unless some scent is added do most medicines have a neutral or foul odor? Does anybody like the smell of cod liver oil? When our air quality is bad why don't we always notice it? Without proper information, training or experience it is not uncommon to make a judgement that leads us to a faulty conclusion! This is why we have standards in both the natural and spiritual arenas of our existence. Our failure to acknowledge and embrace the spiritual aspect of life is costing us dearly.

Consider the recent scandals with college admissions, The Mueller Report, Cosby, R. Kelly, Jackson, Smollett, Spacey, Wynn and several presidents of The United States. How do we know what to think or how to react to the allegations presented against them. The answer is simple but not easy. Examine the facts not the people. Facts have no agenda people do.  Divorcing ourselves from the emotional ties that bind us and our judgement (feelings) conclusively is the first step in eliminating our own personal biases. Buying into people personally is an emotional investment "AND" we all hate losing a bet. This is why it becomes so hard to believe anything which violates the pictures we paint in our minds. If it doesn't match our stored images and memories it becomes very hard to swallow. When "real life" disrupts our "perceived life" we feel obligated to choose one side or the other. Why is that? Should our sense of loyalty surmount our duty to truth? Or are our feelings of pride so strong that we have issues with being wrong. It may be human nature or learned behavior, but it seems we all have a tendency to defend a position rather the reexamine it. An always, "ready to defend" attitude prevents us from examining ourselves objectively and embracing the healing of realization. We are only as sick as our secrets. We have the choice to pass judgment or of passing judgement.  The question remains, do we, have we or are we?

DO I, HAVE I, AM I

Do I have feelings
of pride so strong
that I have issues 
with being wrong?

Have I now reached
a certain place
that blinds my eyes
and hides my face?

Am - I - in - my 
self righteous sect
that make me "right" 
when I'm incorrect?

Or am I "right"
and all along
been in "this state"
where I belong.


Or will I  choose 
to sing the song: 
I'm always right
except when I'm wrong!

​

The process of making judgments is as natural as breathing. We reach conclusions through the judgment criteria we form from our life's experiences.  Conclusions work better when they are regarded as generally correct rather than definitely concise.  Judgments are timely and specific to circumstances that can change in time. Judgments relate actions to cause. Conclusions relate actions to final effects. Judgments are evaluations explained. Conclusions are final verdicts. One characteristic of a conclusion is its resistance to change. Yet any accurate conclusion must include everyone, and everything involved as somehow connected in some way! We can better understand the way judgments and conclusions work through time. Our present judgments can never be regarded as conclusive. Judgments can be both accurate and predictive but never totally conclusive. In life, the lessons of our experiences express themselves through subconscious conclusions. Judgments are the parents of conclusions; without them we cannot negotiate through life. Impaired judgment creates faulty conclusions. It is easy to conclude that many of our past judgments caused most of our present crisis's. We must address the processes that bring us to reach our conclusions. We draw conclusions based on beliefs. Judging by the way we treat our planet we must conclude that we believe that we can continue to disregard our environment. This conclusion is based strictly on our present actions. Conclusions based on poor judgments yield inadequate or inaccurate responses. In the final analysis we must all realize that we are limited by the accuracy of our assessments and interpretations of facts. We cannot deny the impressions or effects our judgments have upon our shared world.  Don't think for a moment that nature is not fighting back in its on effort to survive.  Instinctual Survival functions all the way down to the microorganism level. Haven't we all heard of how plants and trees secrete various substances to fight off diseases or insects. What happens when we become the disease? Are we so naive to believe that nature as a whole, although transitioning slowly, is not taking counter measures to survive during this sixth mass extinction? Think again! Judging by the way we act few of us really believe that we are in any imminent danger of that. But that's a judgment we'll make without reaching any conclusions!

​In the near-near future there will be a need for a field of study that does not exist today. There are many among us who perhaps unknowingly are already actively involved and presently engaged in this specialty. These people are part of an unrecognized but urgently needed group of individuals dedicated to "critical thinking." These unique specialists must be qualified, recognized and emerge to create a new aggregated discipline that can address multifaceted interconnected issues. The spiritual aspect of our existence must be a primary discipline.   One reason will be that the problems we face in the future will require people who are not indoctrinated by traditional methods. These people must be highly educated with credentials that may not meet the standards of today's higher learning institutions. Their aspirations and goals in life might be characterized as more of a calling than anything else. They will have to obtain some level of formal education for a foundation, but they may not follow traditional paths. Their level of expertise will be derived by experience, learning, knowledge, study, insight and wisdom. Sagacity will characterize the naming behind their title and trade. Titles such as these do not exist today! The need for these sages has been historically overlooked and as such their necessity has yet to be recognized. The world allows too many of its greatest voices to be silenced or put "out to pasture" too soon. Many of these people will be somewhat autodidactic. In such a modular, segmented and specialized world of interrelated professions we are very likely to miss things outside of our specialty. No one may anticipate a new issue until it surfaces unpredictably. After all who ever thought we would need regulations for texting and driving. Rapid advancements and accelerating transitions are affecting every aspect of future business and social interaction. There seems to be no exceptions. Our careers are evolving in lock step with theses ongoing changes. The ability to see & solve situations make "innovators" the problem solvers of the future. This is becoming a job description that will take on multiple definitions across various applications. A new breed of "pilots or navigators," as mentioned in our 2020 Conditions, Convergence and Consciousness post, will become one of many new careers. Just as a lawyer's advice is his "stock in trade." So is an "innovators" insight his "stock in trade." At present no schools are offering a major to prepare candidates for this vast, changing and undefined field of work. Qualified applicants will have to see, define and create their own career paths.

It's time to stop thinking of our universe, economies, ecosystems, governments and even our bodies and minds as independent or separate entities. Seeing life from a spiritual perspective allows us to view all of its interworking's as one large interdependent cohesive mechanism. GOD (singular) as one, created one intertwined existence for all of God's creatures to coexist in. It was and still is the higher order creatures, that have and continue to corrupt the perfect order of the universe.

INNOVATORS WANTED" is sure to be a new entry within the traditional "HELP WANTED" section for jobs.  Evidence suggests that we are on the verge of more breakthroughs and inventions then in all of history. We now have more gadgets and gizmos then we know what to do with. So much so that many inventions may never surface publicly. This flood of contraptions has opened up an abundance of ways to innovate and apply them. The downside is that it has also created a plethora of unintended problems to solve. The attention needed to address these types of problems is becoming painfully evident. Short term problems like drones in the hands of nefarious individuals are causing unintended consequences. Long term consequences like global warming have been accepted as a byproduct of progress despite the damage it does. Did anyone think to consider that the effects of extracting oil from the planet and burning it the way we do would cause us to poison ourselves? The "impact gap" is becoming obvious. Some of yesterday's solutions have created today's problems. Many of our new problems, spawned by technology will only be resolved by new applications to the technologies that created them. Tomorrow's class of innovators will redefine both the approach and applications used to find resolutions. Yes things will continue in much the same manner as before but the way in which they continue will allow for the creation of jobs that were unimaginable till now. Those who can anticipate the needs and fill the needs will create the next set of job titles and define new careers not yet in existence. Our educational systems are facing a challenge in training and equipping our transitioning labor pool with the skill sets required for the "next generation of workers." In addition to the basic fundamentals an additional layer of education is needed. Today's certificates, diplomas and degrees will not meet tomorrows demands for future fruitful careers. Many of our standardized tests for evaluating competency need to be adjusted and intuitively refined. Who decides the standards anyway? Sometimes the most qualified candidate is not necessarily the smartest one. It is shortsighted to think that technology only applies to computers, medicine and machines. Technology is a "branch of knowledge" that deals with the "application of knowledge." This is more about how we deal with what we know then it is about how much we know! The technological thinking required to maintain our future is all inclusive. Humanity has continued to advance and as such has meticulously interwoven the techniques applied to businesses, governments, agriculture, transportation, entertainment, communication and climate into an in-ter-dependent fabric. This is a unique first, as all first are, but what makes this even more peculiar is that through consensus we can clearly predict and create whatever future we choose. That's really unique! This requires a new breed of thinkers, sensitive to the control of our destiny. As we embrace constantly changing up to date thinking our perspective and interpretation of past history will change also. There may be many subtle changes in the facts that affect changes in interpretation if we are open to it. As such the interpretation and applications of previous lessons can be reexamined and refined in light of our ever-growing insight. Yesterday's rationale will not keep us current with today's discoveries. Even our oldest recorded history can teach us new lessons. Hindsight is 20/20 vision but revising hindsight and adding foresight yields even keener insight. 

The cost and the strength of a college degree is no longer a guarantee for success. Historically we have been able to prepare our workforce with the proper skill sets to meet the demands of the time. Unfortunately, a convergence of factors continues hampering our ability to meet the needs of today and anticipate the demands of tomorrow. Our own advancements are outpacing our ability to smoothly deploy change with minimal economic, environmental or social impact. We have delayed addressing so many previous factors that the ramifications are beyond a point where we can dramatically alter their course even if we chose to. Compulsory education, first implemented in the state of Massachusetts, and adopted by the rest of the country in the early 20th century needs strengthening. Colleges and higher educational institutions are now facing a financial dilemma. It is gradually becoming more costly to learn a trade that it is to profit from its practice. Medical schools are producing doctors that are more inclined to focus on the more lucrative areas of medicine like plastic surgery rather than the less profitable areas of general practice and real healthcare. The greatest growth markets are and will be those that provide solutions for the plethora of crisis-es we are about to face. This is not a doom and gloom scenario it is an opportunistic prediction for the next group of entrepreneurs. This does not imply or advocate abandoning our existing systems and institutions but rather expanding their purpose and policies to be as far reaching and inclusive across every level of human intellectualism as possible. As coincidental as this might sound the concept behind the name "Nitchtechnologies" originated from the principles outlined in this post. We're realizing more and more that in this age of accelerating technical growth there is an ever-widening gap between design, application, use, understanding, scaling and deploying the flood of things coming to society at large. We are experiencing many unforeseen remedies, creations and consequences. One of the newest job descriptions will likely be titled as a matchmaker, someone who introduces and pairs devices with people. We are approaching an age of designer drugs, designer babies and precision medicine; why not designer machines that fit us like designer shoes!  Another frontier career may be working as a task moderator. That job might entail helping to keep people from falling through the multiple cracks created by a rapidly changing society. Multiple stresses can come with multiple transitions, "life assist jobbers" may have to answer this call and fill this gap. Remember, the gap will be filled by the Calamity it creates or the Clarity we create within it.

It's April fool's day so this one is for those of us who foolishly give away personal power. Some of us surrender our power through tears. Others surrender their power through anger. Then there are some who never take power but go along with the tides, times and trends of society. Yes, the majority of us fall into one of these categories. Yes, we have been victims too! This is the too "naïve to believe" intellectual rendition of this topic. The video and audio clips that we'll be adding to most of our new posts will be a little more explicit. It's time to exercise our innate authority and use our power to practice the principles of change. MAYBE IT'S TIME TO EXECUTE OUR OWN PLAN B! Don't get these topics or subject matter twisted. This is not a referendum on birth control. It's about a PLAN B. Our children are shouldering the effects of our Common Craziness and inheriting our past for their future!

Let's now define Common sense as having a lot to do with ordering priorities! This basically prioritizes the way we put the most important things ahead of the least important things. Let's consider the fact that we are not actively addressing many of societies most prevalent and pressing problems. These would be the things that are the most impacting to all of us! It seems that we expend most of our energies and efforts on polarizing issues. As a society, we would rather fight over things that seem more important to some of us rather than deal with things that are most important to all of us. Well, which is more important, all of us, some of us or the option for none of us? Things that are important to us will find a way to be addressed. Things that aren't as important to us are given a blind eye or are given excuses. There are no excuses for inequality, hunger and poverty. Craziness is defined as a behavioral extreme manifested in a wild or aggressive way. If craziness is the opposite of common sense then we can conclude that common sense creates order while craziness creates disorder. History teaches us that as a species we often manifest characteristics of craziness in our behavior, but we've often been saved by the common sense of a PLAN B. Most types of reproducing species, even if their own survival is threatened, attempt to insure the survival of their offspring. Instinctual survival can always become a PLAN B. Today, let's consider three categories for this edition of our common sense and craziness critique. They are (1) Drugs, (2) Violence and (3) Environmental Control and Destruction. ​Let's ask 3 questions. (1)Can we continue to allow society to seek happiness through chemistry? (2) Will we continue to tolerate the manipulation of our competitive spirit to perpetuate superiority and violence? (3)Will we continue to let the power of bullies, borders and businesses negatively impact the entire planet? Everybody sees the handwriting on the wall. Many of our children from around the world are organizing and speaking out! EVEN THEY CAN SEE WE NEED A PLAN B!

When did we become such a substance dependent/addicted society? There is no way anyone can deny our culture accepts and prescribes an overwhelming amount of substances to deal with just about every physical, mental or emotional issue. Americas affair with pharmaceutical and other brain altering substances (alcohol, marijuana and hallucinogens included) has become the way we enhance our leisure and entertainment or address our problems. As we approach an alarming mental health crisis, SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS NOW HAVING A MAJOR IMPACT ON EVERY ASPECT OF OUR SOCIETY. The opioid crisis, perpetuated by the pharmaceutical industry, is no different than the cancer crisis perpetuated by the tobacco industry and the alcoholism perpetuated by the liquor industry. So, although we regulate and create rules, we accept the carnage of what we allow. Craziness allows it and our so-called common sense regulates it! Maybe this is why a new brand of protests are emerging from our children who refuse to be powerless. The problem is expanding across multiple social strata and penetrating traditional barriers that normally insulated or separated us from its effects. What was once a segregated part of society is affecting us all. The ways in which we addressed these issues in the past are losing their effectiveness. We cannot continue to employ yesterday's tactics to tomorrow's problems. We need a PLAN B! 

Years ago, the greatest fear experienced going to school was being victimized by a bully. The Plan B was simple just avoid the bully. Shouldn't children have a right to homes and schools without the fear of violence? The number of inhumane behaviors inflicted upon civilian society seemingly increases in proportion with the amount of violence absorbed through news, images, games, sports and entertainment. However, the truth is that violent crime, although trending upward in the past few years, had been on a thirty-year decline. Why is it that from 2014 through 2016 that the violent crime rate increased by 6.8 percent and the murder rate increased by 20.4 percent.  A sudden rise in murder seems to surface with societies stress. Although this may appear as a small blip on our screens it is having a significant impact on our sense of security and general well-being. The stress it places upon the children in particular is contributing to the current and growing mental health crisis we are now facing. We now have our children involved in matters they have no control over. That alone creates a stressful environment for learning and growing. What can we do about it? Should we arm teachers, place police forces inside schools, tighten security with guard dogs and metal detectors, frisk and body scan anyone entering or leaving the premises or should we just make stricter laws to penalize offenders after the effect. The current plan is not working effectively. Looks like we'll need a PLAN B!

Although there are many other worthy causes, issues and concerns that must continue to be addressed, maybe we need to start prioritizing our efforts and energy. If we don't deal with the threats to our planet the other problems won't be around to work on. Be-cau-se, they will not have a place (planet) where they can exist, manifest or express themselves. There is no planet B! There are so many instances of couples, who after years of trying to have a child, finally were successful.  We would naturally expect them to treasure that child in a way that appreciates the miracle of childbirth above how the average person might regard it. This place (the planet we live on) is our only child. The doctor says it took a miracle to get this one and we are incapable of having another. Besides that, raising this one has taken so much effort that we haven't nourished, cherished or properly nurtured her. Being that this is our only child shouldn't we protect it from harm fiercely?  Hats off to Greenpeace, The WWF (not wrestling), The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, Rainforest Action Network, Environmental Defense Fund, Surfrider Foundation, Oxfam, Save the Children, The Union of Concerned Scientist and others. We can either protect the planet or protect corporate profits. The power now rests within both the individual influence and collective purpose of people. What we support and where and how we spend our money is the determining factor in what happens. We do not need political representation to effect change. Even if we choose not to get personally involved, we can support anyone of the above listed groups and refrain from financing any organization that opposes or fails to help our mutual causes and interests. This is a practical blog forum. Be encouraged to practice doing something about what matters to us all. Don't send a dime here, pick one those organizations fighting for our common cause and send some dollars their way. Embedded in each organization's name is the link to their site just click on it. Let's practice by supporting something! Even if we can't muster up enough intestinal fortitude to contain our common craziness for ourselves let's exercise instinctual survival and at least save the children! STAY TUNED FOR PART II COMING SOON.