Wow! Great article! The question of whether something is actually complex, or whether we just don’t have the right language or tools for it yet, really got me thinking. I also loved what you said about not confusing respect for expertise with giving up our own curiosity. Some things absolutely need experts, of course, but I know I’ve talked myself out of trying things before just because they seemed too far over my head. Well done!
The 'above my pay grade' scenario is so easy to fall into, I've done it myself. It's not that expertise isn't real, it's that we sometimes use it as a convenient excuse to step away from problems we might actually be able to solve with a bit of curiosity and effort.
Now this article got me thinking. I think your point about language is right. What I have heard in response to the systems, thinking article you read, is that they have language for something they couldn’t articulate before. My own view is once we have language for something we can incorporate it into our self-concept. Once that happens, I am now wondering if there is less that feels “above our paygrade.” I had thought of getting language for something that we hadn’t yet expressed in developmental terms of, but hadn’t really thought about it in terms of increased capacity for relating to complexity. Thanks for this!
Thank you, Judy. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and add to this.
I would think that anyone who widens their language across disciplines, and is genuinely curious about how things work, is more likely to develop the self-concept you're describing. They're also less intimidated by expertise, more willing to step up, and more open to the challenge of complex problems.
Keviiiiin, I really enjoyed this :) thank you for sharing it. The distinction between complexity as something fixed in the world, and complexity as the space between a problem and our current tools for understanding it, gave me a lot to think about.
I also found myself thinking about neurodivergence while reading this. Some of us don’t move through problems in neat, sequential lines. We might hold several threads at once, notice patterns before we can explain them, or take longer to find the language for what we already sense is there. So much can look cloudy from the outside until the right model, method or vocabulary makes it legible.
Your point about language as leverage really resonated with me too. The right words don’t just describe a problem, they can change our relationship to it. Like the Chief below, I love a curious mind :) This was a great read.
One reflection I've had while working on this series is the sheer depth of our language. Judy wrote her piece, I approached the same topic from a different angle, and yet we're both circling around complexity. The weight and nuance our vocabulary carries is remarkable.
Your thoughts on neurodivergence and how it differs from sequential thinking are fascinating. This is an area I have very little knowledge of, but you've inspired me to dig deeper and develop a better understanding. I appreciate you sharing your perspective.
What if complexity is both a property of the world and measure of our current understanding?
I genuinely love that Judy's article got you thinking. Now your essay on complexity is gonna get me thinking for the next little while :) I appreciate your curious mind, Kevin.
Kevin, I really loved the nuance analysis of these two words and how they show up in our approaches. I often think more about complexity as the way most problems surface- but you are making me see a wider picture. Thank you for always pushing my thinking and sharing your take on language in real life use.
Thank you so much, Marya. It’s great seeing you back on the platform more these days. I really enjoy exploring these topics, and I’m glad this one offered you another angle on complexity.
Thanks! It’s nice to start dipping my feet back in to share and consume writing that makes me think and entertains. I always appreciate the angles you cover in your pieces.
Wow! Great article! The question of whether something is actually complex, or whether we just don’t have the right language or tools for it yet, really got me thinking. I also loved what you said about not confusing respect for expertise with giving up our own curiosity. Some things absolutely need experts, of course, but I know I’ve talked myself out of trying things before just because they seemed too far over my head. Well done!
Thank you, Andrea! I appreciate that.
The 'above my pay grade' scenario is so easy to fall into, I've done it myself. It's not that expertise isn't real, it's that we sometimes use it as a convenient excuse to step away from problems we might actually be able to solve with a bit of curiosity and effort.
Glad you enjoyed this reflection.
Now this article got me thinking. I think your point about language is right. What I have heard in response to the systems, thinking article you read, is that they have language for something they couldn’t articulate before. My own view is once we have language for something we can incorporate it into our self-concept. Once that happens, I am now wondering if there is less that feels “above our paygrade.” I had thought of getting language for something that we hadn’t yet expressed in developmental terms of, but hadn’t really thought about it in terms of increased capacity for relating to complexity. Thanks for this!
Thank you, Judy. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and add to this.
I would think that anyone who widens their language across disciplines, and is genuinely curious about how things work, is more likely to develop the self-concept you're describing. They're also less intimidated by expertise, more willing to step up, and more open to the challenge of complex problems.
It's been a real pleasure thinking alongside you.
Keviiiiin, I really enjoyed this :) thank you for sharing it. The distinction between complexity as something fixed in the world, and complexity as the space between a problem and our current tools for understanding it, gave me a lot to think about.
I also found myself thinking about neurodivergence while reading this. Some of us don’t move through problems in neat, sequential lines. We might hold several threads at once, notice patterns before we can explain them, or take longer to find the language for what we already sense is there. So much can look cloudy from the outside until the right model, method or vocabulary makes it legible.
Your point about language as leverage really resonated with me too. The right words don’t just describe a problem, they can change our relationship to it. Like the Chief below, I love a curious mind :) This was a great read.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Jade.
One reflection I've had while working on this series is the sheer depth of our language. Judy wrote her piece, I approached the same topic from a different angle, and yet we're both circling around complexity. The weight and nuance our vocabulary carries is remarkable.
Your thoughts on neurodivergence and how it differs from sequential thinking are fascinating. This is an area I have very little knowledge of, but you've inspired me to dig deeper and develop a better understanding. I appreciate you sharing your perspective.
What if complexity is both a property of the world and measure of our current understanding?
I genuinely love that Judy's article got you thinking. Now your essay on complexity is gonna get me thinking for the next little while :) I appreciate your curious mind, Kevin.
Thank you, Kathi! Fair question, it certainly could be both. A great point of reflection.
I also love when someone's post inspires me to explore a topic too.
Kevin, I really loved the nuance analysis of these two words and how they show up in our approaches. I often think more about complexity as the way most problems surface- but you are making me see a wider picture. Thank you for always pushing my thinking and sharing your take on language in real life use.
Thank you so much, Marya. It’s great seeing you back on the platform more these days. I really enjoy exploring these topics, and I’m glad this one offered you another angle on complexity.
Thanks! It’s nice to start dipping my feet back in to share and consume writing that makes me think and entertains. I always appreciate the angles you cover in your pieces.