Wednesday,
August 25, 2004
National Project
Relationship to the think tanks and consulting industry
Previous note from communicated anonymously à
I don't have time to look at the argument this morning.
But I will tell you...I had an investigator just like you. His area was computer simulation. In every conversation he had with anyone, his ideas were always the center of his discussion--even though there were others with similar or better ideas. He couldn't get anyone to pay any attention to him.
Everyone else was consumed by their own problems and interests, whereas he was unwilling--and perhaps unable--to inquire what those problems and interest might be. The irony is that if he could just have asked himself how he could help others achieve THEIR goals, and had tried to communicate in THEIR language rather than his own, he could have made a sensational contribution. The last I heard was that he was fired from his last job because he was regarded as too egotistical.
Look at your message this morning. I have to go to some "bead" in order to find out what you want to say--even though it is a "private" conversation. But I don't have the time--I have to go to a meeting--can't you say whatever you want to say in a few simple, humble words? How do you expect anyone to help you if you insist on a large commitment of time and personal resource?
I think you have some good ideas. But (because I too am selfish and self-centered--like everyone else!) I am only interested in them to the extent they help my plans or advance my own goals.
You need to spend more time listening and less time talking or thinking. Then you will be in a position to negotiate common interests. If you could just do that--something my computer simulation friend seems never to have learned to do--you would have no difficulty finding work of interest to you.
Sorry to lecture you:
The purpose of our work is to establish a National Project to create a new academic discipline.
If you would take that time, you would see that the BCNGroup advances the concepts of many others, and properly reference their ideas by making scholarly citations.
Perhaps you will work together with us in a planning process.
We welcome you to join us. We look forward to a positive discussion with you.