Let's Work the Problem

I like his confidence, that working the problem

will certainly result in better outcomes than guessing.

A rationalist who does not depend on a higher power

to direct his decisions, but who may concede,

observe, realize and accept that he lacks the data

or the skills or tools to interpret data and these

decisions he leaves to his god.

                              But not before

thoroughly assessing the limits of his power. Guessing

before guessing is necessary makes things worse. The skills,

tools and experience are the accumulated wisdom

of earlier experts in his field.

                              Yet each generation

of communicants must examine the assumptions

from which the mathematics, logic, science or law

was derived. Rebuild the proofs from the simplest

truths, laws, physics. Taking God's first and only words

and extrapolating correctly, getting the trajectory

right for successful take off and re-entry.

                              And then

to explain the derivations to your students.

Until they too can care for the species and the planet,

making whole sentences, formulas and melodies

from few words, numbers, notes.

Author's Note

"Let's work the problem, people, let's not make things worse by guessing."  --Apollo 13