Closed-Mind Syndrome

The speaker in front proclaims, "If you think having experience is useful, think again!"

I so disagree with that statement. Personally, I think experience is so much more valuable than paper qualification.

But then, he goes on with his theory. "I mean, picture this, experience is the effect of doing things over and over again. What happens when a fresh mind comes into the picture and offers a different point of view on things? A point of view which, in your experience, you have never encountered before? Do you fall back on experience, the safer route? Or do you embrace the new idea and explore it further?"

That got me biting back on my earlier retort. It was a valid point. But I still lean towards the point that experience is more useful than it seems.

But that was not the point. The point was the one the speaker put up as to whether we are able to embrace different and even radical ideas when we are confronted with them.

People always say that no idea is a stupid idea. I believe that (except for some that really defies explanation). I prefer to listen to all parties and all suggestions and ideas. Who knows, it could really, really be a good one. If we supress the idea, we will never know whether it was good or just downright silly. But an important point is, when we start throwing out ideas, in a group situation, it just encourages others to build upon a certain idea. All leading towards a better solution. One that can be said that was contributed by the whole group.

Conversely, having a closed-mind syndrome won't help things much. By sticking to the safe and tried and tested solution, one can never evolve much. How can you evolve when it's the same thing over and over again, albeit with just slight variations?

I believe one should not have a closed mind. We should accept all ideas and listen to them before we pass judgement. And after listening to them, we should really consider them. And probably debate about it, with valid reasonings. At this point, it is all to easy to shut off any incoming comments and to close debates with the reasoning "because I said so".

I hope that with the passing years I do not degenerate into my own comfort zone of having superior experience. I believe experience should be used to think of creative ways in solving a problem rather than to use it as it is to solve one. Don't you think so?