The real definition of insanity.
During a recent conversation, my daughter crowned an argument by reciting a popular saying.
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
Clever kid.
"Perhaps," I replied. "But isn't it also insane to do the same thing over and over and expect the same results?"
She was dumbfounded.
I was being quite sincere.
What happens to experts and most other "successful" people?
Our beliefs become fossilized and seduce us to continue "our ways."
Our existing knowledge dulls our senses to the reality of the changing world around us.
Our minds become protected by layers of fat we call experience.
And we rationalize our habits for dealing with the world--doing the same things over and over--with our brilliant achievements.
This self-reinforcing delusion is the real definition of insanity.
We're insane to believe we can work people to the brink of meltdown with no blowback.
We're insane to think we can save or consume our way to peace and happiness.
We're insane to imagine that we can ravage the Earth to our hearts' content.
If you've been doing pretty much the same things over and over and it feels compulsive and unsatisying, stop.
Open your child-like eyes to the reality of the world.
Watch and really wonder.
Question and fully explore.
Your mind will come alive and melt the self-imposed fat of prejudice and routine.
And you'll become sane again.
Posted by Tom Asacker January 3, 2013
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