Analysis Paralysis. The Enola Gay. Opera Canine.
- Quote of the Week:
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” — Bruce Lee
Analysis paralysis (or paralysis by analysis) describes an individual or group process where overanalyzing or overthinking a situation can cause forward motion or decision-making to become “paralyzed”, meaning that no solution or course of action is decided upon within a natural timeframe.
We have all been there. What we thought was a simple question or issue inevitably provokes a long, drawn-out dilemma. We are sometimes mystified by the apprehension exhibited by others to answer or act, as the ‘over-thinking complex’ evokes frustration for all. “I was up all-night thinking about it.” “I just cannot make up my mind.” “That is really causing me to be anxious.” We have all heard these responses in what we felt was a reasonable timeframe to act or answer a question.
I am not making light of ‘analysis paralysis.’ We know that this syndrome can negatively affect business and other professional entities, as well as personal relationships. Indecisiveness or the inability to sort through facts and information to make a decision is a big problem. I am not sure that there is a clear-cut answer to avoid ‘analysis paralysis’ but I do have suggestions:
- At a minimum, understand when you have hit the wall, overthinking to a point of frustration.
- Set a drop-dead date to make a decision or act on a dilemma. Figure out how long you can make your friend, partner, spouse, or business associates wait on your decision to avoid the obvious.
- Get a sanity check. If appropriate, build diversity of thought, seek counsel, and get the best possible advice so that your decision has a better chance of being the best outcome.
- Shun the details. Refrain from continuously seeking everything you would like to know and keep to what you need to know. Once you have the information or data for what you need to know, it is definitely time to move forward and act, or make your decision.
- Be realistic with the situation or dilemma. Just because you arrive at one conclusion or decision does not mean you can never adapt to a new one.
Remember: It doesn’t matter in which direction you choose to move when under a mortar attack, just so long as you MOVE.
- In regard to making a decision: I am stuck at a zoo. Humans laugh, yell, and bang on the glass all day. I would stop the humans from being moronic, but the glass is too thick. I need to ‘voice’ my opinion with these stupid humans and have made a decision to do so. I did not over-think my decision, nor did I need to consult with my family or peers. I made a choice to act. I made a decision.
- I do not want to be misleading, biased, or in any way persuasive with the following comments. Due to the justmytake ethos of no religion, and no politics, I will give you my take as I see it. Straight up, leaning on a direct but different comparison. What I am presenting deals with collateral damage, a military term relating to the number of ‘innocents’ or civilians killed in war or a specific military insurgence.
I have had enough of the uneducated opinions, the bias of the media, and protests that have no spine. You, of course, can pass judgement on my remarks, or better yet, provide your own take. Do not roll your eyes or shake your head. Read the following and respond to me with your take. It is not difficult to click on the Comments tab and provide your reply to me – good, bad, or ugly.
It has been eight-three years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese had two goals: to wipe out the Pacific Fleet and crush the will of the American people. The surprise attack did immense damage to the ships docked at Pearl Harbor, but more importantly and tragically, the Japanese attack resulted in 2,403 Americans killed. Half of them, approximately 1,200, were on one ship, the USS Arizona. The dead included U.S. sailors, soldiers, and civilians.
It has been a little over four months since a terrorist organization breached the fences separating Israel and Gaza. This strategically planned attack was the first invasion of Israel since the 1948 Arab Israeli War. The October 7, 2023, attack on Israel resulted in 1,20o deaths on Israeli soil, including Israeli civilians (thirty-six of them children), seventy-one foreign nationals, and 373 members of Israeli security forces. The terrorists also kidnapped 250 Israelis and foreign nationals, including thirty children, with most of the hostages still held captive today.
Worldwide, people voiced their opinions on the terrorists and the October 7 massacre of Israeli security forces and civilians, who are without regard called collateral damage. Many are demanding that Israel stand down from their military response with Gaza, where the Hamas terrorist organization is based. Many feel that Israel’s response in Gaza has been too severe and caused too much strife with the civilians of Gaza.
Let me provide a clear and concise level set: The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor resulting in 2,403 American deaths. Hamas attacked Israel and killed 1,200 and took 250 hostages, 36 of them children.
The American response with Japan: the two bombs dropped on Japan resulted in 140,000 dead in Hiroshima, and 74,000 in Nagasaki. Those two bombs wiped out an area equivalent to five square miles in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with the fallout of nuclear radiation resulting in thousands more Japanese dying from radiation sickness in the weeks, months, and years to follow.
The Israeli response with Gaza: Death and destruction with many areas of Gaza destroyed as the Israelis try to eradicate the Gaza-based terrorist organization, as well as search for the hundreds of hostages. Again, thousands dead and displaced.
I am very unhappy with ANY collateral damage, especially when it comes to children. I am not a proponent of indiscriminate military tactics that result in the death of anyone. I do not like to watch people suffer. With all that said, I am not qualified or intelligent enough to comment on Israel’s military response with Gaza. What I am qualified to say is that I am sick and tired of listening to people, especially self-serving politicians, comment on Israel’s response with Gaza and Hamas. Eighty-three years ago, the United States made the decision to respond to the attack on Pearl Harbor – with atomic bombs. Enough said.
- Pure talent. We have listened to Luciano Pavarotti, with his booming operatic voice. He had many famous performances, including renditions of “Nessun Dorma,” one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera. “Nessun Dorma” achieved pop status after Pavarotti’s 1972 recording of it was used as the theme song of BBC television’s coverage of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
Pavarotti, in this short video, is accompanied by another amazing voice, and one could only imagine the connection between these two amazing performers. :)