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How to test this idea
Written by John Burch   
Saturday, 03 February 2007
A search for ways to test this idea.
This is more an exploration of how to test the idea. Any suggestions are welcome.

If we take a common example of a problem and assign two people to interact over it and try to accomplish goals, then we might get something close to human behavior.

For example. Should we (America ) get out of Iraq immediately or stay there to try to keep it from falling apart?

I'm sure there is strong feelings on both sides. Someone plays the part of Bush and someone plays the part of a parent of a soldier. That seems like a good emotional conflict. Now, can it be handled from a rational standpoint? Not if the animals remain animals and use all their wit to WIN.

What would it look like?

  • BUSH: America can not abandon our commitment. We must stay the course.
  • PARENT: My son and thousands like him are fighting this war that you started. America should get out NOW!
Both sides are making absolute statements. That is standard argument behavior and not much can be accomplished by such statements. It's not like this is new information to the other party. It is more like flag waving at the front of an army.

Both parties need to drop back and give up the fight to win the opinion war. This is about what is real, what works, what is true. Not about what you want to be true or what you think should be done. If you can reach a common understanding, then it will be obvious what needs to be done. At worst, we will agree to disagree and realize the other party wants something we can not agree to or approve of.

How do we start?
  • Ask each side to define what these statements mean to them.
  • Ask what is important in the statements.
  • Create a value hierarchy related to the subject matter.
The idea is to get out on paper all the internal things that cause Bush to say one thing and the parent to say another. Those things are your value system ( as it relates to this subject) , your beliefs about what is possible, your belief about what options exist, your fears, what is important to you, are you looking at the short term or long term effects. etc.

How do we get an animal to define why it wants something? To paint a picture of it's value hierarchy. To realize that absolute statements have a purpose that is often opposed to an actual solution rather than a win by your side.

Does anyone care?
 
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