The Humanity of Problem Solving

By Scott Nesler

Why take the time to methodically describe a problem? Why seek the advice of others to clarify a working solution? The answer is within the human spirit to be heard and understood.

Life expectancy is 67.2 years in a humanity of 6.8 billion. Let's say within one's lifetime 3 problems fester for resolution. Let's then cut a little off life expectancy for maturity and degradation to come up with 51 years to express knowledge. 51 divided by 3 is 17. 17 years to describe a coherent solution to a perplexing problem. If everyone did their part 400 million coherent points of view would be described on a yearly basis.

"What a crazy notion, you could only hope to get a fraction of the participation!"   I disagree, but 1/400th still leaves 1 million points of view per year.

"A fraction of the populace can produce an intelligent point of view!"   I disagree again. Even if 1/2 a percent is capable, that leaves 5,000 quality solutions added to a repository of knowledge on a yearly basis.   That's 13 refined expressions of intelligence from a humanity of thought to read on a daily basis.    13 intelligent opinions is the daily equivalent of the number of opinions we absorb from a media of a few thousand priviledged individuals.

6.8 billion people!  67.2 years per existence!   Oh, the potential for knowledge, understanding, and humanity!

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We know from statisticians that demographics is destiny. And we know from the Rolling Stones that you can't always get what you want. What we don't know is what happens when these two indomitable principles sit down, pour themselves a drink, and get to know each other better. -- Daniel H. Pink