At this stressful point, it is tempting to abandon curiosity. We move into a survival mode. We freeze in place and abandon any reflection or exploration of alternative perspectives or practices. Yet, it is at this point that we must apply an Essential lens. It is a lens that magnifies the details of this problem and a lens that expands our viewpoint regarding the problem. What are alternative ways in which to view prevention or alleviation of this problem? Should we consider both strategies for protecting ourselves against the virus as well as ways in which we gain immunity by being exposed to the virus? Should we explore a variety of perspectives regarding the treatment of this problem? Do we listen to the viewpoints on Covid vaccinations offered not only by scientists at the National Institute of Health, but also by those scientists and physicians who warn about the potential side effects of available vaccines? Are there some new opportunities that emerge from the solution to this problem? Has Covid taught us some important lessons regarding how to confront viruses in the future?
We can become curious about the best ways in which to handle many domestic issues. To what advice do we listen regarding the value of a college education? What are the personal qualities that best predict a successful college career? What can we learn about parent-child communication? Do we feel more empowered and less helpless because we gathered some information before making a difficult decision? Do we have an opportunity to learn something new based on the curiosity that is elicited by this Essential challenge facing our family?
Miller and Page describe the settings in which problems tend to emerge. They are “rugged landscapes.” This type of landscape is filled with many mountains of about the same height. Think of the majestic mountain range called the Grand Tetons or the front range of the Rocky Mountains that residents of Denver Colorado see every day. Compare this with a landscape in which one mountain peak dominates. In a rugged landscape that is complicated, one finds many competing viewpoints about which mountain is higher or which vista is more beautiful.
A similar case can be made regarding the challenging problems that must be addressed by each of us individually and collectively during a pandemic invasion (such as COVID-19). Multiple perspectives are credible. A host of priorities can be cited. Public policies are saturated with politics and competing financial interests. Our polystatic predictions are wandering all over the place. What about our domestic challenges. How do we choose between the welfare of our son and daughter with regard to college tuition? It is potentially the best thing and potentially the worse thing to share this “intimate” information with our children? Can we remain curious about the problem as well as our confusing reactions to this problem? Curiosity must remain dominant. We must continue to explore, research, confirm and disconfirm as we journey through this rugged landscape—making full use of our set of Essential lenses.
