The Age of the Unthinkable

One thing that I think an MBA either requires or teaches is flexibility.  To make time for special guests to come to class in March, Dr. Gillis is giving her two hours to Dr. Brazier, and so that means that Dr. Brazier is giving her two hours to Dr. Gillis this next week.  This works to my advantage in the fact that the research paper due for Brazier is getting pushed back a week, and a case study for Dr. Gillis is getting cut.  Unfortunately, it also means that the 10 chapter book, The Age of the Unthinkable, will not be spread over 2 weeks, but now must be read by next week, including the case study.

Wednesdays I've kinda carved out for me.  Matt plays basketball with the guys, and I usually catch up on my TV shows and veg, since weekends are usually filled with homework.  This week, that plan won't work, so last night I got into the book and began to read.

As I read, the book really resonated with me and a scripture came to mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 For He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

The book starts with a shocker, as the author, a world covering journalist has coffee with a member from a "terrorist organization".  While he doesn't agree with the end goal, he talks about radical groups who learn to think outside of the system for change.  He talked about rebellions and how those rebels lacked fear.  They aimed for change.

I notice I'm driven for constant improvement. Contentment is not a natural gifting of mine.  There's always a higher mark to hit, greater refinement, and sometimes this means challenging  the status quo.  And it doesn't scare me to do this, to ask the questions why things are the way they are.  If there's another system, another way that would greater serve the mission and purpose, why not try it?  I recognize there's a balance in change for change sake and really seeing the opportunity that lies out there, but I challenge myself to not fear seeking the opportunity that may be a game changer.

The author also brings up how we can deal with an intrinsically complex world.  I think sometimes we fail to grasp our hands around a problem, because we know what we don't know.  I'm in the second chapter, so only a fifth of the way through this, but I'll be interested to see the author's solution.  I often feel so overwhelmed with the infinite, but know there are ways of making impact- so how do we do that?  How we do we know what little of the universe we know or experience and demonstrate the lack of fear, and the resolution to exert power as needed, love when undeserved, and a sound mind when the dynamics are constantly changing.  I have an idea, but before I give the expected answer, I'll hear this author out.