We need "'WHY?' Thinking" to cope with "Accelerating Change." During exponential growth we often enter a new, chaotic phase. Where doing more of the same doesn't produce the results we expect.
Water is an example of this in the physical world. When heat is applied to water, the temperature of the water steadily increases until it reaches the boiling point. At the boiling point, the water could be said to become CHAOTIC and the relationship between heat applied and water temperature no longer applies. At the boiling point the water goes into a non-linear phase, where the water temperature stays basically the same regardless how much heat is applied.
I believe "'WHY?' Thinking" is basically a re-analysis of everything. Much like a youngster asking, "WHY?" "'WHY?' Thinking" does not require great skill, but it does require MENTAL WILLINGNESS: (1) to accept that chaos happens; (2) to explore options beyond the known and familiar; and, (3) to change opinions, priorities and actions.
In just about every area, "'WHY?' Thinking" can lead to innovation and creativity. To new opportunities and a better life. It does involve change, however, and change is often vigorously opposed. Especially by those heavily invested in the status quo (doing things the same as they always have been done, even if the results are not the same as before).
At some point, however, it becomes obvious that things are becoming chaotic. Things are not responding as we expect. We may even be in crisis mode. Then we are forced to ask the "WHY?" questions. Which help us identify unconventional but practical solutions to seemingly complex problems.
Following are a few examples of "'WHY?' Thinking" in action. Along with some of the conclusions suggested by asking the "WHY?" questions:
EDUCATION
Young people often spend 12, 16 or more years in formal education. "WHY?"
If there will be as much growth in technology in the next 10 years as we have
seen in the last 60 years, can a person afford to spend the first 25% or more of
one's life (before retirement) going to school? How long will this
education remain relevant? Yet, education remains a critical necessity for
growth...
What if students spent only 6 to 8 years in full-time education? Then started working an hour or two a day, while going to school part-time. Thus linking education and economic reward. This would require a change in child-labor laws, but there are many computer related jobs that require very little physical labor. The hours worked could gradually increase and the hours going to school would decrease as the years went by. This would empower youth and give them a greater sense of participation in, and ownership within, society.
To keep current with new technology people would continue their education, for the rest of their lives, by a minimum of an hour per day. The amount depending upon the level of technology utilized in their work. In this case, the amount of time spent in education would be about the same over a lifetime, but spread out. And the education would be more relevant to each person's life and work!
THE ENVIRONMENT
Why spend mind-numbing amounts of money cleaning up the environment? Why
do we believe that air, water and other natural resources are FREE resources gifted by
nature? Why do we consider the cost of natural resources to be equal to
the cost of retrieval and transportation? Wouldn't it be more wise to
include the cost of cleaning the residue and recycling in the cost of these
resources? What is the economic value of these resources if they were no
longer readily available?
CONFLICT, ARMIES & WAR
With low cost attack tools and technologies, the WEAKEST are able to wage war
and attack the strongest. If it is DEFENSE we are after, why is the
technology, training and budget focus on expensive ATTACK capabilities?
Why focus on defending boarders when those we wish to defend ourselves from have infiltrated deeper? If
the root cause of conflict is ideological differences, why do we focus on
military strength instead of negotiation?
All sides often pay a heavy price during conflict. Ideas, opinions and subsequent actions are seldom truly changed by force! Conflict is the manifestation of a lack of creativity. "'WHY?' Thinking" is a key component required to insure a social & economically stable environment.
This article is online, with hyperlinked references, at: http://www.friendlyinnovators.com/mn/20080425.htm
Al Leedahl
Engineering Design Concepts
www.leedahl.com/engineering/design/concepts.htm
*Note: This article was inspired by the concept of: Non-Linear Thinking.