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the stretch
POWERFUL IDEAS TO HELP YOU STRETCH
YOUR MIND AND IMPROVE YOUR LIFE
Our Moral of the Story articles feature ideas from great works of literature, music, cinema and the internet and some of the thoughts they inspire as we ponder them.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY
Against the Law: Combatting the Law of Unintended Consequences
by Bradley Rhinehart - May 27, 2024
“That evil influence which carried me first away from my father’s house, that hurried me into the wild and indigested notion of raising my fortune, and that impressed those conceits so forcibly upon me as to make me deaf to all good advice, and to the entreaties of my father–I say, the same influence . . . presented the most unfortunate of all enterprises to my view; and I went on board a vessel bound to the coast of Africa.” (Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe)
Many years ago, a peer and friend of mine uttered a phrase I’d never heard in referring to the “law of unintended consequences.” Since that time, I have come to see unintended consequences at work in various aspects of life on a regular basis. It is observable everywhere and at work among each of us everyday. And while it is not necessarily based on principles of physics like the law of gravity, nor is it as immutable, whether it is actually a law of nature or simply a common principle, it is something we should take into account as we make and execute decisions and manage their effects, which can be positive and negative.
To observe the latter in daily life, consider that medications can produce side effects and even adverse reactions, staying up too late tonight will cause fatigue tomorrow, exercising or playing sports can lead to injuries, back-country skiing risks an avalanche, and driving too fast can lead to a citation–or worse, and thereby lead to problems from unwanted delays and increased insurance premiums to loss of health or even life. In considering these and other examples that may come to mind, it is easy to see that while some things may be unintentional, they are not necessarily unforeseen.
In some cases, we can hope for, but don’t really bank on, success beyond that which we reasonably expect. We may welcome any extra return, satisfaction, accolade or glory but count such a pleasant surprise if and when they do come. More commonly, humans tend to focus on what they might expect–and even come to anticipate with some degree of specificity, how potential undesirable effects might come from a particular choice or action. The wisest among us, not only consider such possibilities, but plan on how to minimize their negative impact or even how such things might be turned to produce something beneficial.
The old phrases of “expect the unexpected” and “hope for the best but prepare for the worst” hint at the mindset needed to productively and reasonably anticipate how a particular action may produce, not only the desired effect, but other possible concomitant reactions that are not desirable.
The following concepts may help develop such a mindset:
1. Zoom In and Zoom Out: When the human eye changes focus from distance viewing to near viewing, it is called accommodation. It happens automatically and rapidly whenever, and to the extent, that we change our viewing distance from far away to close up. This is how we zoom in. Relaxing accommodation happens when we return to viewing things that are farther away. This is zooming out. The laws of geometric optics do not naturally provide for deep linear focusing range at all distances simultaneously with a single static system. This produces what we call depth of field.
Applying the principle of zooming in and out dictates that we see things that are before us clearly, and alternately picture oneself, circumstances, environment, potential rewards, and and the likely hazards, obstacles and pitfalls that lie upon the horizon of personal ambition in a way that provides for productive and safe navigation. We must prioritize and keep important people and things in figurative focus but doing only this makes us myopic or “near-sighted.” But lest we be like the carefree child at play in the sunshine when there is a storm blowing in, we must occasionally look ahead to view things that are farther off than our own immediate desires and circumstances. Similarly, looking only in the distance prevents us from really seeing what is happening around us, even as one might find it hard to look away from the breathtaking sunset as a poisonous viper is preparing to strike.
2. Extrapolate and Hypothesize: Certain things should be expected as natural consequences and these are easy enough to predict with a high degree of accuracy if we will but think. Recalling our own experiences as well as learning from others and even simply extrapolating by asking ourselves what might happen in response to a particular choice or action. Such inquiry can yield abundant food for thought and fortify us against poor planning, decision making, execution and outcomes. Such an exercise may in one instance convince us that a certain course is not wise, but in another, that it is good, or that it is reasonable to expect a good outcome so long as certain things are properly managed.
3. Be Honest With Yourself and Others:This is self explanatory, though also difficult for us to do at times. So often, we want what we want and don’t like to admit that certain things may not be in our best long-term interest or that the cost we might incur for something might end up being more than what we really want to pay. We may remember, with contempt, the subprime loan boom and resultant Great Recession of the late 2000s, predatory credit card rates, and the like, but how often do we admit that certain things may be similarly foolish in other things we may trade or use as tender. Being honest with ourselves and others has a profound protective quality in and of itself by fortifying our minds against self-deception, preserving our integrity and reputation, and improving our relationships with others. On a functional level, it helps us with the above-mentioned process of extrapolation and hypothesizing.
4. Seek Counsel From Others:Those who are qualified to give counsel to which you may safely give credence will, like Robinson Crusoe’s father, meet certain criteria. Their persuasive capacity will depend on the tried and true staples of classical rhetoric: ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos establishes credibility through personal experience, education, and the moral authority of a clean and well-lived life that embodies that which they speak of when giving counsel. Logos refers to facts, information derived through academic endeavor, self-study and even mastery of a subject on which one may provide information to another. Pathos refers to a speaker’s ability to persuade based on sentiment, passion and other strong feelings. In a broader sense, it is best to consider that additionally, one who gives counsel should not only care about their topic, but about the one they mentor, feeling invested in his or her happiness.
5. Balance Caution and Optimism:In recent times, Stoicism has experienced something of a revival, due in part to our need to live free from fear in a world with many dreadful things occurring. On the surface, much of the counsel given here may seem to promote timidity, hesitation, worry and other things that are contrary to Stoicism but actually, it is in reasonably anticipating and productively preparing for, at least in a general sense, problems that may come as we live our lives, that we can truly do so without fear, or at least without undue, debilitating fear. For, as the saying goes, “if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).” Returning to Daniel Defoe’s wisdom, expressed through a wiser Robinson Crusoe, “Oh, what ridiculous resolution men take when possessed of fear. It deprives them of the use of which reason offers for their relief.” This is a modern echo of the ancient wisdom taught by Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius who said, “Our actions may be impeded . . . but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
6. Practice Principled Planning:All these things together, as well as other ideas you might think of, constitute what one of my wife’s early mentors referred to as “principled planning.” This means that one develops a plan to work in the present while looking forward to a fruitful future and acknowledging possibilities and probabilities that are not completely under one's own control. Principled planning accounts for the good things you are working for and is based on the principles that drive you forward but also allows you to reasonably and productively anticipate and manage potential risks and challenges. We can't know exactly what the future will bring to us or anticipate challenges with any degree of specificity, but that is all the more reason to engage in principled planning. Life can be difficult, even when we expect challenges, so it is important that we have foundational guiding principles--convictions of what is right and what is important, in order to guard against failure and promote success. Challenges to our health, financial prosperity, relationships, faith, and our peace of mind come to each of us in terms of when--not if. The mode, manner, degree, and time of onset of struggles are unknowns but we can be certain that trying events will, in some form and at some time, come into each life. What will then matter to us, is not just if or when, but how--how we have prepared, how we have moved forward boldly, humbly, and with righteous conviction, to achieve our noble goals in spite of opposition that we can, with principled planning, avoid, minimize, and manage because we have anticipated and prepared for them beforehand in hope.
To observe the latter in daily life, consider that medications can produce side effects and even adverse reactions, staying up too late tonight will cause fatigue tomorrow, exercising or playing sports can lead to injuries, back-country skiing risks an avalanche, and driving too fast can lead to a citation–or worse, and thereby lead to problems from unwanted delays and increased insurance premiums to loss of health or even life. In considering these and other examples that may come to mind, it is easy to see that while some things may be unintentional, they are not necessarily unforeseen.
In some cases, we can hope for, but don’t really bank on, success beyond that which we reasonably expect. We may welcome any extra return, satisfaction, accolade or glory but count such a pleasant surprise if and when they do come. More commonly, humans tend to focus on what they might expect–and even come to anticipate with some degree of specificity, how potential undesirable effects might come from a particular choice or action. The wisest among us, not only consider such possibilities, but plan on how to minimize their negative impact or even how such things might be turned to produce something beneficial.
The old phrases of “expect the unexpected” and “hope for the best but prepare for the worst” hint at the mindset needed to productively and reasonably anticipate how a particular action may produce, not only the desired effect, but other possible concomitant reactions that are not desirable.
The following concepts may help develop such a mindset:
1. Zoom In and Zoom Out: When the human eye changes focus from distance viewing to near viewing, it is called accommodation. It happens automatically and rapidly whenever, and to the extent, that we change our viewing distance from far away to close up. This is how we zoom in. Relaxing accommodation happens when we return to viewing things that are farther away. This is zooming out. The laws of geometric optics do not naturally provide for deep linear focusing range at all distances simultaneously with a single static system. This produces what we call depth of field.
Applying the principle of zooming in and out dictates that we see things that are before us clearly, and alternately picture oneself, circumstances, environment, potential rewards, and and the likely hazards, obstacles and pitfalls that lie upon the horizon of personal ambition in a way that provides for productive and safe navigation. We must prioritize and keep important people and things in figurative focus but doing only this makes us myopic or “near-sighted.” But lest we be like the carefree child at play in the sunshine when there is a storm blowing in, we must occasionally look ahead to view things that are farther off than our own immediate desires and circumstances. Similarly, looking only in the distance prevents us from really seeing what is happening around us, even as one might find it hard to look away from the breathtaking sunset as a poisonous viper is preparing to strike.
2. Extrapolate and Hypothesize: Certain things should be expected as natural consequences and these are easy enough to predict with a high degree of accuracy if we will but think. Recalling our own experiences as well as learning from others and even simply extrapolating by asking ourselves what might happen in response to a particular choice or action. Such inquiry can yield abundant food for thought and fortify us against poor planning, decision making, execution and outcomes. Such an exercise may in one instance convince us that a certain course is not wise, but in another, that it is good, or that it is reasonable to expect a good outcome so long as certain things are properly managed.
3. Be Honest With Yourself and Others:This is self explanatory, though also difficult for us to do at times. So often, we want what we want and don’t like to admit that certain things may not be in our best long-term interest or that the cost we might incur for something might end up being more than what we really want to pay. We may remember, with contempt, the subprime loan boom and resultant Great Recession of the late 2000s, predatory credit card rates, and the like, but how often do we admit that certain things may be similarly foolish in other things we may trade or use as tender. Being honest with ourselves and others has a profound protective quality in and of itself by fortifying our minds against self-deception, preserving our integrity and reputation, and improving our relationships with others. On a functional level, it helps us with the above-mentioned process of extrapolation and hypothesizing.
4. Seek Counsel From Others:Those who are qualified to give counsel to which you may safely give credence will, like Robinson Crusoe’s father, meet certain criteria. Their persuasive capacity will depend on the tried and true staples of classical rhetoric: ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos establishes credibility through personal experience, education, and the moral authority of a clean and well-lived life that embodies that which they speak of when giving counsel. Logos refers to facts, information derived through academic endeavor, self-study and even mastery of a subject on which one may provide information to another. Pathos refers to a speaker’s ability to persuade based on sentiment, passion and other strong feelings. In a broader sense, it is best to consider that additionally, one who gives counsel should not only care about their topic, but about the one they mentor, feeling invested in his or her happiness.
5. Balance Caution and Optimism:In recent times, Stoicism has experienced something of a revival, due in part to our need to live free from fear in a world with many dreadful things occurring. On the surface, much of the counsel given here may seem to promote timidity, hesitation, worry and other things that are contrary to Stoicism but actually, it is in reasonably anticipating and productively preparing for, at least in a general sense, problems that may come as we live our lives, that we can truly do so without fear, or at least without undue, debilitating fear. For, as the saying goes, “if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).” Returning to Daniel Defoe’s wisdom, expressed through a wiser Robinson Crusoe, “Oh, what ridiculous resolution men take when possessed of fear. It deprives them of the use of which reason offers for their relief.” This is a modern echo of the ancient wisdom taught by Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius who said, “Our actions may be impeded . . . but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
6. Practice Principled Planning:All these things together, as well as other ideas you might think of, constitute what one of my wife’s early mentors referred to as “principled planning.” This means that one develops a plan to work in the present while looking forward to a fruitful future and acknowledging possibilities and probabilities that are not completely under one's own control. Principled planning accounts for the good things you are working for and is based on the principles that drive you forward but also allows you to reasonably and productively anticipate and manage potential risks and challenges. We can't know exactly what the future will bring to us or anticipate challenges with any degree of specificity, but that is all the more reason to engage in principled planning. Life can be difficult, even when we expect challenges, so it is important that we have foundational guiding principles--convictions of what is right and what is important, in order to guard against failure and promote success. Challenges to our health, financial prosperity, relationships, faith, and our peace of mind come to each of us in terms of when--not if. The mode, manner, degree, and time of onset of struggles are unknowns but we can be certain that trying events will, in some form and at some time, come into each life. What will then matter to us, is not just if or when, but how--how we have prepared, how we have moved forward boldly, humbly, and with righteous conviction, to achieve our noble goals in spite of opposition that we can, with principled planning, avoid, minimize, and manage because we have anticipated and prepared for them beforehand in hope.
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