This has been a complicated week and finding a topic has been hard.
We are living in black and white times. Wrong or right. Thumbs up or down. With or against. Our society is suffering from a profound lack of nuance. Let’s talk about the Sunk Cost fallacy a.k.a. the Concorde fallacy.
The Concorde was a supersonic airplane funded jointly by the British and French governments. It was fast but expensive. Very expensive. In fact, the project cost much more to operate than it could ever hope to earn. It was clear from the start that there was no economic case for the Concorde. Yet both the British and the French continued to invest in the Concorde. It began flying in 1976. The project was not dropped until 2003. Why did it take nearly three decades for a clear disaster to be abandoned?
I have found the opposite of despair is not joy; it is curiosity. The opposite of hate is not love but generosity.
The Concorde Fallacy refers to when animals or people defend an investment, even when that defense costs more than abandonment or an alternative. One of the most admirable and dangerous qualities of human beings is that they think they’re pretty smart. They believe they are in control of their thoughts and ideas.
If you internalize any doctrine to the point that you cannot even consider the mindset of the “opposition,” even in the context of a thought experiment, you are not thinking freely. If you paint your fellow humans with a broad brush of “them vs us” you are indoctrinated.
Bryan Stevenson said “The opposite of poverty is not wealth. It is justice.” For me, I have found the opposite of despair is not joy; it is curiosity. The opposite of hate is not love but generosity.
These are chaotic times, but the issues are simple. We can either learn to truly understand one another and ourselves, or we can continue blindly investing in the same beliefs no matter how much they cost us.
Ask questions. Be curious. What are you so invested in you cannot even consider abandoning? How do you define truth? Where do you find it? Where are the locked doors in your conscience? What is so alien you refuse to even meet it? Do you hate something in yourself? What would happen if you decided to generously embrace that same flaw? What if instead of running from some unacceptable part of your mind, you acknowledged it, embraced it. Would you not transform?
These are chaotic times, but the issues are simple. We can either learn to truly understand one another and ourselves, or we can continue blindly investing in the same beliefs no matter how much they cost us.
I want all my readers to have a kind, generous, and thoughtful weekend. Be good to one another.
Friday
As always, the North Mankato Taylor Library is providing all kinds of great ways to kick off the weekend. Build a snowman and then head to the library’s Snowman Contest page for a chance to win. This contest is open to all ages so don’t be shy, share those snowy guys! January’s Craft with Me event perfect for those aged 9-17 is all about book folding! This craft is free, just register online. This event runs all day. Then head to the library’s Facebook page for Stories with Miss Michelle! She’ll be sharing wintery stories every Friday in January from 6-6:30pm.
The library is also hosting a blood drive. Stop by the Police Annex from 11am-5pm. Make sure to register with the Red Cross in advance as walk-ins may not be accepted.
He’s been called “One of Minnesota’s greatest treasures.” Don’t miss opening night of “Jim Denomie 2020” at the 410 Project by, you guessed it, Jim Denomie. The gallery will be open from 2-6 pm and then again from 7-9 pm to showcase his humorous, delightful, and intelligent pieces. I will be chatting with Denomie about his work so keep an eye out for that upcoming feature here on MankatoLIFE.
The Mankato Makerspace is holding two Glass Torchwork classes. From 3-6 pm they’ll teach a Basic Clear Creation and from 6-9 pm they’ll share Basic Color. These classes are perfect for glass working beginners who want to give this artform a try. Registration is available online.
Saturday
The Mankato Farmers’ Market is in the Greenhouse! Head to Drummer’s Garden Center from 10 am to noon to stock up on jams, baked goods, crafts, eggs, meat and more. On my last trip to the Farmer’s market I went home with some of the most delicious jelly I’ve ever had. We are so lucky to have such great vendors and makers!
Need some motivation sticking to your health-related resolutions? Join Christine, a fitness instructor with the Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center, for a virtual chat about nutrition, goals, and an upcoming Nutrition Series. The Zoom meeting begins at 10am. The meeting ID and passcode will be available on the LCARC website.
The Southern Minnesota Poets Society presents Budd Powell Mahan. Mahan is a poet, editor, artist, photographer, public speaker and actor, who has won numerous awards and contests. This lecture and discussion will be held on Zoom beginning at 1pm.
Sunday
The Mankato Symphony Orchestra presents Music on the Hill: Mozart and Jennifer Higdon. This virtual concert will air on Facebook, YouTube and the Mankato Symphony Orchestra website at 4:15pm. Enjoy as Peter McGuire, Bethel Balge, and Richard Belcher perform Mozart’s Piano Trio as well as Higdon’s passionate Pale Yellow Trio.
Bonus: Resolution Research
How are your resolutions going? If you’re feeling stuck or slowed down, I recommend doing some research. There are three categories of knowledge: what you know, what you know you don’t know, and the vast and endless category of what you don’t even know you don’t know. The fun part of life is growing the first two categories while remaining humbled and inspired by the third. School is never out!
There are three categories of knowledge: what you know, what you know you don’t know, and the vast and endless category of what you don’t even know you don’t know.
What do you know you don’t know? For me, I am learning about nutrition, running technique, and strength training. Understanding my goals beyond the surface level makes them easier and also takes the pressure off. I understand there is no perfection, only improvement.
If there is something you don’t understand, something you feel afraid of, or something blocking your progress, research it. In the words of that charming elementary school song we used to sing, “Knowledge is power.”
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Weekend High Notes is a regular feature by Molly Butler. Molly covers weekend events, live music, and culture in the Greater Mankato Area. Suggestions are welcome using the MankatoLIFE contact form.
