Newminimalists tend to be immune from fear.
This is a simple riff about the impact of fear in a community [see photo]. The real impacts of a malaise of fear is good, bad, and ugly.
The good impact of fear is felt by those who are not frozen by it. This jolt of fear is akin to a bolt of electricity that instantly disrupts the risk profile of an individual. Just as time slows, or quickens, in a moment of fear so too does the risk taking, or risk averse, actions made by individuals will be driven by rational irrationality [see photo]. Some people will make bold decisions that are uncommon for them. Some will freeze and become much more risk averse. Being bold or timid can workout well for an individual if, and only if, the risk profile of he or she is a good fit with the prevailing environs.
The bad impact of fear is most evident for those who react to it as an integrated component of a group. To be locked into "group think" or "one think" during a time when global fear is spreading fast is to be nurtured as a decision-maker. One feature of "group think" is that it tends to promote risk-averse thinking and actions. Independent risk assessments tend to be swallowed up by a "one think" consensual model that stretches out any rational decision-making process, and at the same time, shortens any irrational decision-making process. Irrational decisions are based on ideology, theology, or delusion and so they are made in nanoseconds. Meanwhile rational decision-making options are over analysed as people who are sadly ill-informed have a seat at the table and once there they have a say.
The ugly impact of fear is that an authority assumes control of individual and group decision-making processes. The authority or expert will make important decision about complex issues based on a very very narrow perspective and with limited tools. They will always want more data, more models, and more abstract theories to be applied to even the most simple decision-making cycle. Time will stand still while they pontificate and procrastinate. Actions will be suspended. Beta testing of ideas and possible solutions will be shunned until the "correct protocols" are in place. When this happens their fear of complexity leads to poor decision-making that become locked-in until the "unintended consequences" of the core decision overwhelms everyone and everything.
Richard.
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