13 Comments
User's avatar
Rebecca Weitzel's avatar

Excellent teaching essay. This piece is science, this tidbit, is something most people wouldn't consider unless they learned it recently, or recently reminded that graphs and their accuracy levels, often make a big difference. All we have to do is begin to read them and interpret them. We can learn this! 👏

Expand full comment
Walter Rhein's avatar

Thanks Rebecca!

Expand full comment
Kelli's avatar

This is why I (internally) scream and tear my hair when someone says "Teaching algebra is useless, no one will ever use it." and here you are applying the systems of basic algebra to your life in a wonderfully interesting way!

Expand full comment
Walter Rhein's avatar

I use algebra every day. People who say they don't use it... aren't thinking.

Expand full comment
Carol's avatar

Really thought-provoking! Thank you so much. I’m committing to doing this!

Expand full comment
Walter Rhein's avatar

Thanks! We all need a reminder.

Expand full comment
Luc Arnaud Dunoyer's avatar

Very nice 🙂 I'd simply add that linear thinking isn't really the problem for the list of dichotomies you shared,the problem is the dichotomies (a two point model if you want). Linear thinking (aka gradient) is still pretty limited, but not as much as dichotomous thinking :-p.

Finally, I'd say that our models were never sufficient to understand the world, as in at no point ever. They may have been the best we had at some point, but life was always that much more complicated, it's not that we are on the verge to have our models being obsolete ... it's that they were never good to begin with (necessary first steps, but not good ones).

Expand full comment
Walter Rhein's avatar

Well said, yes I could have used more precise language there. A model is always a simplified version of reality, that's what makes it convenient. But it also makes it less than accurate. The problem is we become so focused on our models that we disregard reality.

Expand full comment
Mary's avatar

Wow. You have a gift for turning the tangles in my brain into a logical conversation. Please stay safe and sane and hug the family. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Mary!

Expand full comment
Wendy's avatar

I absolutely love looking at life through a myriad of lenses and explanations! I spend a great deal of time pondering, which is what it looks like you enjoy, and once again I want to say I'm happy to have found your voice and perspective in the world.

I had a big decision to work through recently. It was fun reviewing it through this model and seeing how it came into play, allowing the best decision to come forward for me.

Expand full comment
Walter Rhein's avatar

It's amazing how easy it is to flip your interpretation back and forth, it's as simple as turning off a light switch (which is a bit scary). Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Dec 3
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you, we're still using stone age philosophy in a space age world.

Expand full comment