Why do we Write the way we do?
By: Chad Jardine
I have been staring at my computer screen for about an hour trying to think of what to write my journal on. Back and forth, back and forth is the way it has been going between topics. I then stumbled upon the subtle topic of why we write journals the way we do. Is it really that effective for us to ask questions for the sake of pondering the things we write about?
In every journal that I have done up to this point, I have been contemplating different ways to see things and exploring all of the angles on many issues. In my Communications class this is called dual perspective. That means seeing all points of view rather than choosing one and sticking with it as if it were fact-which is a problem Wells has told me I have, but then I tell him he’s wrong. I wonder, is better to defend your solution or to think deeply about solutions others have? It would seem that spending all of one’s time contemplating a topic would never lead to decisiveness needed in the world. You cannot always have the luxury of time on your hands. Sometimes in life things must be decided in that moment or situations could turn negative. Would it be better to develop an ability to think on your toes rather than always having to make sure every outcome was analyzed?
I have had to make decisions, right or wrong, in a minutes notice or I could lose opportunities. But I must admit that those decisions were never as detailed or precise as those which were made with heavy contemplation. Then again, only a “seat of your pants” choice was plausible in those circumstances. My grandfather told me a saying, “Perfection is the biggest deterrent to progress.” That is to say, if you don’t make decisions solely because you aren’t willing to make mistakes when you do, you’ll never get anywhere. When I write I always assume things. That’s just in my nature. One thing that is certain, however, is that writing in a thoughtful manner has given me insight on how to see others’ views. I have also enjoyed-no been changed-by the experiences of Mrs. Smith’s writing assignments. Yet, with all of her emphasis on exploring topics, wouldn’t it also seem prudent to retain the ability to be quick and decisive? It appears the determining factor is time. And with that there is no question.
By: Chad Jardine
I have been staring at my computer screen for about an hour trying to think of what to write my journal on. Back and forth, back and forth is the way it has been going between topics. I then stumbled upon the subtle topic of why we write journals the way we do. Is it really that effective for us to ask questions for the sake of pondering the things we write about?
In every journal that I have done up to this point, I have been contemplating different ways to see things and exploring all of the angles on many issues. In my Communications class this is called dual perspective. That means seeing all points of view rather than choosing one and sticking with it as if it were fact-which is a problem Wells has told me I have, but then I tell him he’s wrong. I wonder, is better to defend your solution or to think deeply about solutions others have? It would seem that spending all of one’s time contemplating a topic would never lead to decisiveness needed in the world. You cannot always have the luxury of time on your hands. Sometimes in life things must be decided in that moment or situations could turn negative. Would it be better to develop an ability to think on your toes rather than always having to make sure every outcome was analyzed?
I have had to make decisions, right or wrong, in a minutes notice or I could lose opportunities. But I must admit that those decisions were never as detailed or precise as those which were made with heavy contemplation. Then again, only a “seat of your pants” choice was plausible in those circumstances. My grandfather told me a saying, “Perfection is the biggest deterrent to progress.” That is to say, if you don’t make decisions solely because you aren’t willing to make mistakes when you do, you’ll never get anywhere. When I write I always assume things. That’s just in my nature. One thing that is certain, however, is that writing in a thoughtful manner has given me insight on how to see others’ views. I have also enjoyed-no been changed-by the experiences of Mrs. Smith’s writing assignments. Yet, with all of her emphasis on exploring topics, wouldn’t it also seem prudent to retain the ability to be quick and decisive? It appears the determining factor is time. And with that there is no question.
posted by Chad J at 5:07 PM
2 Comments:
Good question, Chad. It is important to be able to "think on your feet," but it's just as important to be able to deliberate. I think one (hoped for) outcome of taking the time to deliberate on an issue when you can is that it improves your problem-solving and critical thinking skills in general, which changes the way you think, even about decisions that you don't have the luxury of mulling over.
super journal chad. truly phenomenal. i liked that quote by your grandpa. you always sound so smart with what you say that it makes me want to crawl in a corner and die because i can never match up to people who are smart like you, i just can never measure up...but darn it i sure am SPUNKY!
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