July 8th, 2011
Perspectives and assumptions are tricky things. My last post and the following comments have had me thinking about why we even need new perspectives. I have a seemingly constant desire to see new things. My urge to travel is forever deep and I can’t seem to soak up new experiences fast enough. It isn’t out of some discontent with my own life though. I enjoy my days immensely and I’m easily at peace with myself. Curiosity isn’t such a bad thing, right? But why do I consistently desire new perspectives?
Without changing up your perspective once in a while, it’s too easy to get caught up in assumptions. You begin to see the world a certain way and end up believing that your way, your perspective, is the normal way. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately in regards to the blogging community. There are a lot of us that read some high quality content on all sorts of topics. We all meet up online in the blogosphere (yeah I too think that word sounds awful) and amp each other up on new and exciting ways to think and live. It’s easy to think this is how everyone thinks. But it’s not how everyone thinks. This is why the like-minded folks all meet up here.
But something happens when we are constantly exposed to the same things. We lose curiosity and we collect assumptions. So how can we challenge our assumptions? Learning new things helps, but sometimes all you have to do is change the way you look at something. Shoot, you can even start with something as simple as a frying pan.
Oh, and the above photo isn’t a planet. It’s not a far away floating celestial body. It’s just a frying pan. So take another look at everything. Post inspiration via GOOD
Talking about like-minded folk – you, Stephen Guise and I wrote articles that complement each other almost at the same time about topics very related, how’s that for like-minded?
Is that one of the reasons you want to learn how to play Violin? I am just kidding.
Isn’t it incredible when two ideas connect inside the brain and suddenly everything looks clearer? I think that’s what chances perspective and that’s why it is so important to be in contact with so many different things and perspectives and absorb the most of it.
By reaching several different perspectives you are giving your brain more information to work with and more material to connect and suddenly it hits you. Something you never saw before.
Good reflection!
Hugo, you’re right about that! Giving our brains as much material as possible is the best way to develop new and interesting connections. I’ll never look at an old pan the same way!
I think it is good to surround yourself around people that are living outside the box and like to challenge assumption. I am ready to see the world in a different light which is why I am so excited about our travels. I think traveling allows you to mix up your thoughts, try something you would have never done in your daily life and learn to appreciate the present moments.
But you are right, not everyone lives the same life and has the same plans. For some a 9-5 job is suffice until they hit 65. Yikes.
I am glad that’s not us. Now let’s go travel….
Meg, yes. Yes it is good that the 9-5 for 45 years is not enough for us.
Now let’s get out of here already!
It is so good never to assume anything. To assume that we understand life is ignorance. Your an inspiration, and you just sparked a new post for me. Thanks for always stretching and reaching for more, and for never settling in life. We all deserve to experience more, and to have opportunities to be curious.
Matt, be sure to come back and leave a link to your post in the comments here! I’m all for making those connections!
It’s good to challenge assumptions and hang around likeminded people, BUT once that gets comfortable, it’s also good to take a step back, switch perspectives, and do something entirely different. Reject one thing for another, then reject that and rinse and repeat. It’s a challenge of opposites. As a personal example, I’m now finding my nomad life from only last year to be somewhat despicable to society now that I am hosting a nomad and realizing I am not truly someone who can live without a home. I rejected the house/mortgage after 2 years of it, but not so fast… I also rejected the idea of going back to the office but now feel it would actually benefit the greater good (of my goals). So yeah. Also, if you hang around ONE idea or way of life for too long, you become dogmatic and filter out anything else. And dogma sucks.
Ah yes Janet, nothing like being a nomad hosting a more nomadic nomad! Almost confusing! But I follow you. Sounds like you may be working your way to something new?
An yes, let us live without dogma. Please!
Hi Dave,
I’ve often wondered if traveling the world would eventually become mundane, not that meeting new and interesting people would but the act of always traveling. I wonder if someone like Andrew Zimmern longs for home the way someone like you or me longs to travel?
Good point Todd! I find it strange that at the tail end of every trip I find myself longing for home. And it’s regardless of the length of time. I’ve had trips one week to many months to a year and every time, just before it’s time to head home, I get really happy and ready for the ‘change’ of heading home.
Good thoughts!
Another excellent post. One of the reasons we love to travel - and have created this life that allows us to do so – is because we like to get out of our own space. Don’t get me wrong, we LOVE our space. In fact, of all the places we go, the Pacific Northwest (I’m including Montana) remains our favorite place on the planet. However, we find that we crave new perspectives. We need to step outside of what’s familiar so that we can both appreciate and better question our own culture.
It’s our constant craving of new experiences that push us to be creative, interesting people.
So let us never lose sight of that.
And let’s keep learning and creating!
What I always think is interesting about travel is its own paradox. When we’re home, we want to travel, and when we’re traveling we yearn for home. (And it’s extra interesting that I’m writing this from the road–actually in the Philly airport [free wi-fi, baby!] at the moment). I think this is the question Tom was getting at in his comment.
That paradox says something about what you get at with perspective, too. It’s great to get exposure to new ideas but it’s even better to then take them back to our own pockets of like-mindedness to expand on them and question our own group a bit.
The danger is when we don’t do enough perspective stretching. That’s what happens in academia, I think: people stay in Ph.D. programs for so many years, predominately talking to other Ph.D. students and faculty, they start to think everybody is interested in mollusk diseases or string theory, and they have a hard time relating to the outside world. That’s why they dress so weird.
But somehow I feel like you’ll still dress cool when you’re an academic, David.
Baker, I’ll do my best to keep a hip dress code!
You’re right about the paradox of traveling though. I find it strange that when I’m thousands of miles from anything familiar, I still seek out familiar faces. And I always seem to find people and places that remind me of things ‘back home’.
What is it I’m looking for anyways?
Hi David,
Your post was simply beautiful. You never cease to amaze me with your ideas and writing style.
Don’t you ever stop blogging:)
And that frying pan ending was surprisingly awesome! I rarely share posts on FB, but this one is magnificent.
Derek
Derek, that was particularly kind of you. I rarely hit things to FB too, so I share your sentiment.
So thank you!
Ahhhh we think so much alike! But that is your point…
This is so interesting to me because I have pondered this very thing for sometime. Interestingly, my divorce happened because my ex was very much NOT about seeking new perspectives or exploring a world outside of a box. He refused to read or even consider travel and adventure. He literally said he was content as things were, did not get my need to learn or consider others ways of seeing things and that was that. Yeah that didn’t work so well for me! That was just crazy!
Lifelong learning, seeing the world with wonderment
and awe striving for new perspectives is an amazing way to journey through life!
This kind of makes me think of the Plato’s Allegory of
the Cave. Once your eyes are opened to a larger view of the world, you want more and yearn to continue to grow. It’s hard to understand why others do not feel this same way or “get it”. But they are not ready. They are in a different place on their journey. So, it is natural then to connect with others who do get it. I am very much summarizing and not with thorough accuracy but I hope it works.
Liane, your thoughts are always amazing. I am strangely interested to know more about this ex of yours… How does one get to that point? Or are they always that way?
You bring up a great point about Plato’s cave. I don’t know if I necessarily believe that some people are just in that place… I think they just haven’t let themselves be exposed to anything yet. Or perhaps they don’t choose to see new experiences as exposures. My older sister just started traveling, and now she is hooked. But of course she is hooked. It doesn’t surprise me at all. It almost seems to me as part of the human condition to want to experience fresh perspectives, and seeking beauty!
This post echoes that whole, if you hear a lot of the same yelling, eventually it can become gospel.
With the tunnel that we’re all in, you’ll hear every opinion (which is fairly similar) bounce off the wall, I’m usually confused whether it’s my own thought, someone else’s, or one from a year ago!
It’s a nice change to get lost in a book every now and then.
Andrew, you summarized my sentiments well. Get lost in a book
It’s strange that we are in such a tunnel, because the benefits are huge too. We all connect and get amped on each others excitements and new bits of knowledge. But there is a danger to the constant surrounding of yelling. It does become gospel. Like Janet said above, I too want to avoid dogma.
pretty cool frying pan!
[...] Blogs: We all have blogs that we follow that inspire us to live differently. The authors of those blogs are creative [...]
I had to come back to this post. I thought about it a lot as we were hiking in the Shenendoah and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday. I was thinking about your hot air balloon post too and my comment about synergy regarding learning from others who have gone before us. I am a fan of synergy. I believe in collective positive thought and the strength of people coming together in a positive way – the potential for growth, learning and change is enormous when that happens. On my recent travels I have seen many cyclists out inn large groups and there is a strategy they use called drafting. The guys in the front work the hardest and those in back benefit from the momentum…the draft. Then they switch positions and someone else works hard for the group and shares in the effort. So where this is all going for me…I think the similar thinking that we all share has potential for incredible synergy. And we all bring the various perspectives we are gaining from varied experiences we have to the table so all benefit. Going out and seeking these new perspectives is so valuable but it is more important that we bring them back and have some drafting going on.
Maybe my analogy is stretching a little but I am fascinated by the thought nonetheless…
Liane, I don’t think you’re stretching at all here. I think the internet (and blogging in particular) is all about drafting.
So let’s ride off the success of one another, til the lead runner gets a bit tired. Then someone new can take the lead. We all get ahead and enjoy the ride too!
Well said, David. The path of evolution requires revolution… revolt against tired assumptions and perspectives. The great achievers in life make it a habit to constantly look to see things differently. It is a hallmark of all creative genius to change perspectives as regularly as one changes their socks. Whoever seeks to know more about himself is forever questioning the status quo.
Rob, that right there is a good post! Change perspectives like you change your socks.
So every day when I change my socks (or twice if it’s a hot day), I will remind myself to think differently on something…
I like that bit.
David,
this is totally off topic, but when i read your post, i instantly thought you must be a renaissance soul or as some like to call it a scanner. Someone who is multi-passionate. look up the terms or check out this book on amazon. it may resonate with you.
http://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Soul-Design-People-Passions/dp/0767920880
it’s called renaissance soul: lifestyle design for people with too many interests.
Anyways, i can totally relate to you unquenchable thirst to suck up as much new information as possible.
My resume looks makes me look schizophrenic because it could easily belong to several people. I love to master new things but once i become somewhat proficient i don’t necessarily lose interest but rather am ready for a new challenge.
for the longest time, i thought i was a flake but now i’ve come to terms with my unusual personality type. I’ve read several books on the matter and am grateful that i love to live my life to the fullest. on the flip side, i’m never satisfied with the ordinary and constantly am seeking new ideas, things and places to see. There’s just so much out there isn’t there.
Cheers, may your life be filled with exciting adventures David..
Annie
Love your comments and the book recommendation. I am going to download in ibooks tonight.
I like the idea of a schizo-adventurer…
Annie, I realize I’m a bit late on this, but this comment is great! Thanks for sharing that book and term. I’ll be looking into it now!
I’d rather seem scatter brained to the majority of folks than narrow myself down to one thing that doesn’t really keep my interest.
So yes Annie, let our lives be filled with excitement and adventure!
Here’s some of my experience…
In unfamiliar surroundings, we tend to see what we look at.
In familiar surroundings, we see much more than what we look at. And, we see much less. In familiar surroundings, we see what we expect to see, what we’ve seen before, what we know is there. Even if it isn’t.
Next time you are standing in a familiar place, take a look around, and try to imagine that you and your immediate surroundings have been transplanted to some other town or country. Imagine that you don’t know where that road goes, after it goes out of sight. Perhaps it goes up a hill, or down one. Imagine that you don’t know what store is two doors down – you’ll have to walk over to find out. Imagine you don’t know what’s around the corner.
Think of yourself as a tourist – the only things you know about your immediate surroundings are the things that you can see right now. Pretend that the familiar is unfamiliar. In my experience, things tend to spring to life when I do this. Maybe you’ll see something you’ve never noticed before. I think you’ll certainly see (and hear, and smell) things from a whole new perspective.
Take a moment to ‘forget’ what you know (or assume you know). It can be incredibly refreshing. Sometimes unsettling, but always worthwhile.
Gordon, you may enjoy this quote:
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” -Henry David Thoreau
You’re right. There is a benefit to being a tourist in your home town.
I agree. I’m always trying to explore new perspectives and ways to look at things. I’ve been guilty of making assumptions. Usually they just get me into trouble.
That’s why I think I like traveling too. It’s such a great way to gain new experiences and see how people live in different ways. It’s all about stepping outside of your own culture so you can see your own in new and unique ways. It can be really eye-opening.
Ah yes Steve, it’s that whole thing “when you assume you only make an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’ “.
I don’t suppose I’m entirely against assumptions. You have to start somewhere. But it’s focusing on seeing things beyond our assumptions…
It’s tough. But worth it!
You just blew my mind. I ponder over a variation of these thoughts day to day, even more so recently, and that gorgeous frying pan sealed it all.
Thank you, David.
Great message here. Reminds me a bit of the zen term ‘beginners mind’: to see a frying pan with such beauty, as if you were a child gazing upon this magnificent object for the very first time.
We live in an age where new experiences are easier to find than ever. Those that always apply the 80/20 rule when the excitement starts to taper (i.e. “I think I get the gist”) may miss out on the joy of truly understanding the intricacies.
To know something intimately yet to remain enchanted by it each time you experience it…sounds like a potent combo (and perhaps the key to a long marriage!)