Ed's Blog

Opposites or Two Possibilities: Planning versus Trial-and-Error

I recently saw two films that made me think about philosophy of life, right and wrong, and other important matters. The first is - "Mean Creek." Mean Creek falls into the category of films where the characters are forced into a moral dilemma. I love films like this.

Basically, life is all about thought. There are two kinds of thinking - proactive planning and reactive trial and error. In the first case, we go about precisely planning and plotting based on our goals, life views, and basic desires. We're constantly using our basic philosophy of life, whether or not we have precisely articulated one or not, it's there, and it guides our higher order thinking and planning. By basic philosophy I'm including our spiritual and religious beliefs, our view of people and nature, the world, our purpose in life, etc. Of course, many people don't really ever think too much about these things, but it doesn't matter, 'cause there still there. Don't believe in God? That's still a belief. Don't have a meta-model of the way humans interact with one another or an understanding of basic psychology? Well, to some extent we all do, but those of us at the one extreme end may be anti-social or socio-paths, or serial killers, or just crazy bloggers.

In the case of reactive trial and error, people either go out consciously to do something, "I think I'll go ride my bike," - which is still based on various desires and philosophies of life - I want to stay in shape, I want to stay in shape so I look attractive, strong, etc. - I want to look strong so that ... etc.

Sometimes these activities become routine, habitual, but, of course, the environment always throws us a curve ball from time to time. When stuff happens, the outside environment throws us a challenge, either from nature or people (as a special case of nature), we have to react rather quickly. It's when stuff comes at us very quickly that we must react. Reaction is fast. In the case of nature, animals, we pretty much know the reactions. In the case of people, whoa. In the case of ourselves, sometimes we're surprised too. Sometimes our basic philosophies and beliefs, even the ones we haven't thought about, come out and are right there. "How would you react to this situation - you are alone in a lifeboat, there's only enough food and water for .... etc"

Mean Creek takes us out of the comfortable, well-planned world into the something comes at you, now react fast world. Like a "Simple Plan" gone wrong, sometimes the siutation reveals character. Sometimes it's even a surprise to ourselves.

If you can recommend any other films that are like this ... let me know. I like em.

posted by Unknown @ 6:53 AM