I’ve never heard anyone say, “I’m glad things are more simple now than 5 years ago”. We just don’t say that. In fact, we talk of how simple things “used to be”. In my research on a new book, I came across an interesting concept called Entropy or the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. There’s a lot of science behind it but essentially it says that: Things get more complex not less. We go from simplicity to complexity. We go from order to disorder. And we have been since the very beginning.
If this is true, then shouldn’t we EXPECT more uncertainty? Shouldn’t we be framing our mind to expect it and ACCEPT it? When we get up in the morning and get ready for the day, wouldn’t it help us to think that it IS going to be an unpredictable and crazy day? And if it does turn out to be true – doesn’t that make us feel somewhat better?
I believe that if we learn to understand that things WILL be more complex, more uncertain and increasingly unpredictable – if we can accept this then I believe we will be more comfortable and better prepared to handle it. Think about it. If you expect the worse and you don’t get the worse – doesn’t that make you feel like – “oh…that wasn’t so bad”? Or, “yeah – I knew it was going to be rough and sure enough, it was rough”. We’re not as surprised or shocked by it. I believe that if we get used to uncertainty then we may not be so anxious about uncertainty.
“Hope for the Best. Expect the worst. Life is a play. We’re unrehearsed.”
— Mel Brooks
I also found a really interesting talk by David Christian, a historian who teaches a very cool new subject: BIG HISTORY. David and Bill Gates (yup THE Bill Gates) are taking this ” big history lesson” to high schools across the country…and around the world on their website. David illustrates that our universe has gone from perfect order illustrated by an egg to a bowl of mush (greater complexity).
Check out this fascinating video and slideshow at a TED talk of David Christian:
[wpvideo bQZZRhNP]
