As I was reading and thinking about metacognition, I recalled something that might be useful to helping understand the various levels of reasoning.
Many years ago, because I'm and artist and designer, I read a book by Roger Martin called The Design of Business, in which he offered three levels: deductive, inductive, and abductive.
Each type of reasoning has its value and place in how we think about the world, and how we navigate our place in it.
In times of tragedy, leadership is not measured by words. it is measured by action.
When lives are at risk and families are suffering, the priority must be clear: respond, protect, and support. Human need cannot wait for political alignment, and compassion cannot be conditional.
Yet too often, crises unfold alongside a deeper concern a gradual erosion of democratic norms. Delays in response, restrictions on civil society, and the narrowing of space for independent voices signal more than mismanagement; they point to a troubling shift in governance.
A strong response to tragedy requires more than emergency aid. It requires transparency, accountability, and the active inclusion of civil society as partners not obstacles in recovery and relief.
Because when institutions weaken and civic space shrinks, the ability to respond effectively to crises weakens with it.
True leadership does not choose between stability and humanity. It understands that protecting people, upholding democratic values, and enabling open civic participation are inseparable.
In moments like these, the path forward is not complicated. but it demands courage: act decisively, protect openly, and govern with responsibility.
Anything less risks turning tragedy into a test we fail not once, but repeatedly.
Contrary to what we might think, belief in your tribe’s values & folklore - no matter how contrafactual they are - is very rational behaviour. Getting ostracised from the tribe is a powerful disincentive to non-conformity.
Hi Mr. Jackson. I appreciate the approach to this subject, as literacy is near and dear to my heart. I was raised up on books of all kinds, and I am a voracious reader to this day. I agree that a person's level of understanding, and literacy, has a great deal to do with how that person analyzes information. Unfortunately, those levels also contribute to how easily a person can be manipulated. The building roads part (relationships)----honestly, I don't feel compelled to do this. I've had well-built roads get demolished. Beloved family members have completely eliminated me from their lives because I do not support President Trump. I attempted polite conversation with them (respectful, no name calling, asking honest questions, no raised voices, presented facts and not feelings) to no avail. They are even beyond the "let's agree to disagree, we're family, I love you" because it's unacceptable to them that my beliefs don't align with theirs. Somehow, I have become unworthy of love because of politics. Needless to say, I'm quite gun-shy to build roads with others I don't know very well----not when people I loved deeply threw me out with the trash. Despite this unfortunate turn of events, I have not softened my stance against the current administration. I'm truly sorry if I am giving off a "weak" vibe. I'm not sure if what I feel is weak, or realistic. I no longer see the benefit of engaging MAGA folks in general, when MAGA family isn't approachable. I am, however, going to do a bit of research about literacy in America----and find people that are trying to fix it. I hope you have a good day.
I know this logically, but am finding it so hard to do in practice, as I don't always have a personal story to share. I have also recently learned I am Autistic, and apparently that is why most people think I'm being condescending, when that's not my intent at all. I would love to engage like this, but the more I try, the more I lose my sense of self as it forces me to mask more and more. I'm also chronically ill, and honestly I don't have the energy to repeat these conversations over and over.
I don't want to only be friends with those who agree with me, but when someone honestly believes that my life and rights, and the lives of my loved ones, are up for debate, it doesn't feel safe to keep them in my life.
I came to the conclusion that trying to be more logical and "proving" my point often only got a defensive reaction (in face-to-face conversations). If I asked a question about their position, and worked through that, sometimes an agreement would result. That point of not being judgmental but asking questions instead to get an explanation is a good technique.
I learned a technique many years ago, actually as part of a sales training program. It is the "feel, felt, found" technique. When there is disagreement or you may be facing objections, you can try saying, "I can understand why you might feel that way, I felt that way, myself, at one time but once I delved in deeper, I found that I came to a different conclusion". This technique works because it allows the introduction of the facts that changed my mind. If people see that other people like them have changed their minds, they may be open to changing their own mind.
Truly excellent. Thank you. I had given up on trying to persuade anyone, but you’ve highlighted some very useful and humane tools. I may be able to put them to work, but I know it’ll take great patience.
My concern is how to convince otherwise smart, educated people who are able to discern right from wrong, fact from fiction, but are personally benefiting from the current regime's policies economically that their own self interest is hurting the rest of us. There seems to be no argument or strategy to get through to the profiteers.
Brilliant analysis, Mitch. I read somewhere that we've been the victims of a public school system brought about before the Depression, and espoused by the extremely wealthy of that time, in order to have a permanent working class. Now we're in great decline, it seems, and there's no great push to gain strides back for everyone. Civil conversation about solutions are needed for everything here. Not what we have. Thanks again.
What about really bright, smart, educated, kind, thoughtful people who are still believing falsehoods? That's what I don't get -- they have access, training and can discern facts, they don't seem biased normally, they seem concerned about others, they would usually find the horrible comments that come out of trump and his cohorts unacceptable by anyone else, etc. They don't even seem to like some of the policies of this administration so can't say that they put up with the bad to get some good. I am bewildered by how so many continue their blind support. Have you had people like that change their views from what you describe?
In personal, business and legal matters, yes. This approach works well. In politics when dealing with MAGA, not really. That's why this particular post wasn't focused on politics. Having said that, I do think it will work for people in the middle or people who don't think their vote matters. But to change a far right MAGA opinion, I wouldn't waste my time or energy.
As I was reading and thinking about metacognition, I recalled something that might be useful to helping understand the various levels of reasoning.
Many years ago, because I'm and artist and designer, I read a book by Roger Martin called The Design of Business, in which he offered three levels: deductive, inductive, and abductive.
Each type of reasoning has its value and place in how we think about the world, and how we navigate our place in it.
More information here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Design_of_Business
Best of luck.
In times of tragedy, leadership is not measured by words. it is measured by action.
When lives are at risk and families are suffering, the priority must be clear: respond, protect, and support. Human need cannot wait for political alignment, and compassion cannot be conditional.
Yet too often, crises unfold alongside a deeper concern a gradual erosion of democratic norms. Delays in response, restrictions on civil society, and the narrowing of space for independent voices signal more than mismanagement; they point to a troubling shift in governance.
A strong response to tragedy requires more than emergency aid. It requires transparency, accountability, and the active inclusion of civil society as partners not obstacles in recovery and relief.
Because when institutions weaken and civic space shrinks, the ability to respond effectively to crises weakens with it.
True leadership does not choose between stability and humanity. It understands that protecting people, upholding democratic values, and enabling open civic participation are inseparable.
In moments like these, the path forward is not complicated. but it demands courage: act decisively, protect openly, and govern with responsibility.
Anything less risks turning tragedy into a test we fail not once, but repeatedly.
Contrary to what we might think, belief in your tribe’s values & folklore - no matter how contrafactual they are - is very rational behaviour. Getting ostracised from the tribe is a powerful disincentive to non-conformity.
Hi Mr. Jackson. I appreciate the approach to this subject, as literacy is near and dear to my heart. I was raised up on books of all kinds, and I am a voracious reader to this day. I agree that a person's level of understanding, and literacy, has a great deal to do with how that person analyzes information. Unfortunately, those levels also contribute to how easily a person can be manipulated. The building roads part (relationships)----honestly, I don't feel compelled to do this. I've had well-built roads get demolished. Beloved family members have completely eliminated me from their lives because I do not support President Trump. I attempted polite conversation with them (respectful, no name calling, asking honest questions, no raised voices, presented facts and not feelings) to no avail. They are even beyond the "let's agree to disagree, we're family, I love you" because it's unacceptable to them that my beliefs don't align with theirs. Somehow, I have become unworthy of love because of politics. Needless to say, I'm quite gun-shy to build roads with others I don't know very well----not when people I loved deeply threw me out with the trash. Despite this unfortunate turn of events, I have not softened my stance against the current administration. I'm truly sorry if I am giving off a "weak" vibe. I'm not sure if what I feel is weak, or realistic. I no longer see the benefit of engaging MAGA folks in general, when MAGA family isn't approachable. I am, however, going to do a bit of research about literacy in America----and find people that are trying to fix it. I hope you have a good day.
Helping to eradicate literacy is a worthwhile goal. Thank you for that.
I know this logically, but am finding it so hard to do in practice, as I don't always have a personal story to share. I have also recently learned I am Autistic, and apparently that is why most people think I'm being condescending, when that's not my intent at all. I would love to engage like this, but the more I try, the more I lose my sense of self as it forces me to mask more and more. I'm also chronically ill, and honestly I don't have the energy to repeat these conversations over and over.
I don't want to only be friends with those who agree with me, but when someone honestly believes that my life and rights, and the lives of my loved ones, are up for debate, it doesn't feel safe to keep them in my life.
Genius on display! Advice even Einstein (or Holmes ;-) could use.
I came to the conclusion that trying to be more logical and "proving" my point often only got a defensive reaction (in face-to-face conversations). If I asked a question about their position, and worked through that, sometimes an agreement would result. That point of not being judgmental but asking questions instead to get an explanation is a good technique.
I learned a technique many years ago, actually as part of a sales training program. It is the "feel, felt, found" technique. When there is disagreement or you may be facing objections, you can try saying, "I can understand why you might feel that way, I felt that way, myself, at one time but once I delved in deeper, I found that I came to a different conclusion". This technique works because it allows the introduction of the facts that changed my mind. If people see that other people like them have changed their minds, they may be open to changing their own mind.
Truly excellent. Thank you. I had given up on trying to persuade anyone, but you’ve highlighted some very useful and humane tools. I may be able to put them to work, but I know it’ll take great patience.
My concern is how to convince otherwise smart, educated people who are able to discern right from wrong, fact from fiction, but are personally benefiting from the current regime's policies economically that their own self interest is hurting the rest of us. There seems to be no argument or strategy to get through to the profiteers.
Brilliant analysis, Mitch. I read somewhere that we've been the victims of a public school system brought about before the Depression, and espoused by the extremely wealthy of that time, in order to have a permanent working class. Now we're in great decline, it seems, and there's no great push to gain strides back for everyone. Civil conversation about solutions are needed for everything here. Not what we have. Thanks again.
Brilliant piece.
Thank you, counselor.
You got it, Joey! Hopefully it'll help a few people moving forward.
Please allow Substack to read to us, my eyes suck sometimes. Thanks!
Not sure what you mean but, you can listen to the audio.
The listen button wasn't showing up for some reason, it works now, thanks! 🙂
What about really bright, smart, educated, kind, thoughtful people who are still believing falsehoods? That's what I don't get -- they have access, training and can discern facts, they don't seem biased normally, they seem concerned about others, they would usually find the horrible comments that come out of trump and his cohorts unacceptable by anyone else, etc. They don't even seem to like some of the policies of this administration so can't say that they put up with the bad to get some good. I am bewildered by how so many continue their blind support. Have you had people like that change their views from what you describe?
In personal, business and legal matters, yes. This approach works well. In politics when dealing with MAGA, not really. That's why this particular post wasn't focused on politics. Having said that, I do think it will work for people in the middle or people who don't think their vote matters. But to change a far right MAGA opinion, I wouldn't waste my time or energy.
Thanks for that clarification.
Thank you for clarification, and for your many good articles.
My pleasure, Amy. I have a feeling many more are on the way.