Linear Thinking

It occurs to me that linear thinking is what enables our civilization, such as it is. Linear thinking is what enables us to tell a story, follow a recipe or do a math problem. Linear thinking is what school is all about: one step after another, in sequence, towards an intended goal. Eventually the goal will be reached. People aren't normally like that. They are more everything, all the time. That's what parties are: too much of everything: food, drink, conversation, music, dancing, motion, and all at once. Academia is just the opposite: one thing, all alone, undisturbed, carefully considered.

Our civilization has spent a great deal of time and effort developing linear thinking so we could build the infrastructure that supports our civilization and gives us the time and freedom to enjoy it and not have to use linear thinking, which is difficult and a real pain. This is why kids hate math and some kids don't learn to read. It's also the reason why loud mouthed, self promoting slime-balls enjoy such immense popularity: they don't engage in linear thinking and they don't require you to do so either. Just listen and watch and experience their entire show. It's glorious! It must be! They say it is!

This is why we are all doomed to another world wide conflagration. The more advanced we become technically, the more free time people have, and the less they will need linear thinking and the more they will start responding emotionally, where upon they will start following whatever yahoo is putting on the most entertaining show. We can't help it, it's simply our nature.


Eagles - Life in the fast lane
brizuelaledesma
Update February 2017 replaced missing video.

Update March 2021 replaced missing video.

Update August 2022 replaced missing video.