Admiral Hyman Rickover, known as the Father of the Nuclear Navy is quoted as saying, "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." Hmmmmm.Listen to practically any conversation and it falls in one of the three categories listed above. And if I had to do a quick survey based on personal experience, I'd say that a vast number of conversations that I have heard or joined have been about people or events.
It's a mirror of our society. Idea Magazine won't be found on many racks for sale, but at practically every checkout register in practically every grocery store in America you'll find People Magazine. Sad commentary.
It is not often that ideas are discussed. It's easy to discuss people or events because well, it's easy. Ideas cause us to think, to reason, to create and even to disagree. Sometimes our Christian culture discourages disagreement. But I say share your idea, even if it is contrary to what is being offered.
So here's my question today: "What do you discuss?"
4 comments:
There are times when i have hid behind discussing ideas and heady things simply because i didn't want to bring to the surface what i was struggling with...
Just challenging the idea of 'ideas' are better. :-)
I know that there are times when an idea is not the most comfortable discussion subject. It's always easier to talk about an event or another person (even their ideas are easier to discuss then ours).
Maybe a discussion of our ideas can become a form of self-therapy.
To discuss ideas, as you suggest, one has to do so in humility. I love discussing ideas. However, I have to watch myself, because I my first knee-jerk reaction is to often get angry at a position that I disagree with.
Take the immigration issue, for example. I would like to see a resolution to the current immigration impasse with new legislation that sympathizes with the plight of undocumented people who are simply here to work. On the other hand, I have heard individuals on "Christian radio" who simply feel that they should be removed. I often become quite angry when I hear this. However, I must just take a deep breath and pray in humility --- I do not have a corner in the "idea" market and need to remember that at all times and with all issues.
pag
Ah, yes! I believe you hit it on the head when you raised the humility issue. Ideas can sometimes be treated as talent or athletic prowess. When we get a good one, we think we are "something else". But you are right, we must remember that our ideas are ours, but everybody has them too.
Walking (and thinking) in humility allows our ideas to be better received. As it says in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."
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