Unlearning 101

Data vs. Intuition

Related Posts

Step Up to the Counter of Unlearning

Unlearn Your Intuition (Sometimes)

Can Unlearning Lead to Enlightenment?

Personally, I believe unlearning can lead to enlightenment but, since I am myself nowhere close to attaining this ideal, I'm for now content with achieving those smaller "aha" moments. I'm hopeful, though, that if I can string together enough such "moments" they just might lead to the promised land. 

To this end, enjoy the cartoon to the right -- and, remember, unlearning isn't as much a destination as it is a journey. 

If you're interested in some of my "aha" moments, feel free to peruse these recent posts:

The Circle of Truth

A Sip of Reality

A Glimmer of Truth

The Tree of Unlearning

The Steep Unlearning Curve

Abe Lincoln Did Not Go to Law School

"Abe Lincoln did not go to law school." -- Jack Uldrich, Futurist

P.S. I'm in Montreal today to discuss the future of law and legal services at the Meritas Law Firms Worldwide annual meeting. The future of legal education (and the importance or non-importance of accreditation) is just one of the many trends I will be discussing.

Related Post

Orville Wright Did Not Have a Pilot's License

Listen and Unlearn

Recently, I was on a flight and as we were descending the pilot's voice came over the intercom and, tongue-in-cheek, he asked everyone to "turn off their books." It was a funny comment but it does hint at a broader sea change -- more and more people are reading books on their Kindles and iPad's.

This is no surprise.

What might be surprising is just how quickly many authors and publishers will embrace videos; location-based information; and other digital features to create more interactive books. To understand what the book of the future might look like, I invite you to watch this three-minute presentation by Mike Matas on next-generation digital media. (Caution: It may require some unlearning for you book lovers.) 

See the World From a Different Perspective

I'm a big fan of Tony Carrillo's comic strip "F Minus" for one simple reason: He sees the world from a slightly different perspective ... as today's strip amply demonstrates.

Interested in training yourself to see things from a different perspective? Check out these related Posts:

Which is More Dangerous: A Jungle or a Tiger

God Dome It! Unlearn

 

The Benefits of Not Knowing

While I personally believe there is great value in having some intellectual humility; starting an anti-library; keeping a notebook of things you don't know; and even embracing your ignorance, I had never thought about some of the other more intangible benefits of "not knowing." Below is a short, funny clip from comedian Pete Holmes. Enjoy!

Sleep Your Way to the Top

A short, funny talk from Arianna Huffington on the importance of sleep.

The Fruits of Unlearning

Yesterday, after delivering the opening keynote (on future trends) at Beyond 2010 in Edmonton, I had the pleasure of also delivering the closing remarks. Not surprisingly, I discussed the importance of unlearning. In between, however, I had the immense pleasure of listening to a wonderful speaker, Peter Hinssen, who is the author of a new book, The New Normal.

At one point, he showed this video clip from Blackberry:

It's a great ad. Unfortunately, in this era of accelerating change and social media advances, the competition can punch back--quickly, cheaply and effectively as this Apple response demonstrates: My take-a-way is this: Whenever you have a problem, always consider how it might be turned into an opportunity. If you do this you can reap the fruits of unlearning -- be they blackberries, apples or any other fruit.

Unlearn It

 It is what it is.

Fix it!

Shove it!

Make it happen.

I can't help it.

Don't doubt it.

Is it worth it?

Solve it.

F*&k it!

Just do it.

Don't question it.

Figure it out.

Name it.

You're doing it wrong.

I love it.

Screw it.

Get it done.

Believe it!

Don't believe it.

Nothin' I can do about it.

Bring it on!

Watch it.

He/She's got it.

Is it worth it?

I'll know it when I see it.

What is it? "It" is not as simple as it may seem. Frequently, "it" means different things to different people. When "it" is an issue or a problem is "it" defined in a way everyone can understand? When "it" is a behavior (e.g. I can't help it), "it" is often not a single factor but rather a complex combination of a multitude of different things.

To succeed in the future, we must all do a better job of understanding what "it"; why "it" is important; how and when "it" will get done; and who will get "it" done.

To do anyhing less just makes a mess of it.

I've Got a Secret and I'll Kiss & Tell