Pogue,

It’s raining. Again. And I noticed this morning that the News Papers are asking: “Where is summer?” And “Is summer over?” It’s only the first week of August, August the months when the majority of people in this country go on holiday. Then for those who have holidayed abroad, southern Europe, there are unprecedented heatwaves resulting in wild fires. And everywhere there is talk of, and pointing to, global warming. It may be the case but as I cast my mind back over recent times it seems that any fluctuation in the weather is now met with loud declarations of “Global Warming”.

So I have spent sometime reading a variety of articles on the internet that are related to this and, help me here, I am confused. I have found science supporting the phenomenon and science rebuffing it. I have found declarations that Global Warming is a myth and a huge conspiracy, and I have found pronouncements that the denial of Global Warming is also a conspiracy funded and propagated by those with financial motivation for things to carry on as they are.

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.

Albert Einstein

What am I to believe? I have heard so much about Global Warming over recent times that I have found my mind just leaning into it and accepting it as true. But now I find myself asking questions and thinking maybe, just maybe, there is a seed of truth in what the others are saying. Remember I’ve told you the value of keeping an open mind and that there is always another story to be heard. Two sides to any argument.

And so with people. How many times have you found that before you’ve even met a person you have formed an opinion? You’ve heard others giving opinions or reports and that has formed a foundation for how you will view the person when you finally meet. You may not even be aware of this. Or you’ve consumed so much information, often from others, that long before any contradictory details present themselves your mind is made up. You realise that that is how indoctrination works? By denying access to or the validity of alternate opinions and data.

Then there is always the fact that people tend to overstate a thing if they want you to agree with them. I think it’s called a ‘convincing argument’? But if it is ‘convincing’ then there should be no fear of you seeking an alternate view for your own clarity and balance. No one should feel the need to shout you down as is so often the case today or to attack your credibility. Remember, people, media, news outlets, political parties, governments all have an agenda, come loaded with a history of experiences and are rarely neutral when presenting information. Everybody wants you on their side. Nice to know.

Having an open mind allows different ideas into your way of thinking.

Peter Diamandis

Global Warming may be true and I tend to think there is a credible case for action. But I am sure there are overstatements designed to impart urgency for that action to happen. Indeed, sometimes it’s takes the overstatements to provoke people into response because, let’s face it, many people are pretty apathetic. Discipline yourself to be open minded. That’s not about giving up your own thoughts and beliefs but rather reserving judgement, abandoning any desire to criticise and not hoisting your own beliefs on someone else. Just being prepared to listen. Comment if asked to but in doing so, even whilst disagreeing try to understand others and their perspective. Building knowledge is better than tearing down!

Pogue, an open mind opens us up to potential and possibility and other truths that may, in time, change our lives or even change the world. Now there’s a thought.

Yours, seeking understanding,

Wic