Welcome to the Classy Problems weekly mash-up for Monday, August 19th – Sunday, August 25th, 2024.

Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding.

August 19 – Function & Purpose

Function is about WHAT something does – the specific actions or tasks it performs.

Purpose is about WHY it exists or is used – the reason or goal behind its use.

This is a useful framework for understanding parts and systems. Function provides the effort and purpose provides the intent.

We more commonly refer to a mechanistic system as a machine. In a machine, the function and purpose align so closely they overlap. For example, a watch’s function and purpose are both to tell time. This doesn’t make the words synonymous; it means that in simple systems, function and purpose can be the same.

However, in more complex systems or when considering actions outside of a machine, it is more effective to start with WHY before asking WHAT.

Understanding our purpose first will allow us to align our actions with our intention.

August 20 – Simple and Complex Events

In simple events, winning is finishing first. The winner is easy to determine.

Complex events are made up of several interconnected components that must be successfully coordinated.

In simple events, focusing on individual performance is vital, while in complex events, focusing on effective coordination is often what determines the winner.

August 21 – Growth and Development

Growth is the quantitative increase in size or magnitude. Bigger.

Development is the qualitative advancement or refinement of a person or system. Better.

Growth is about increasing capacity, while development is about increasing competency. Different.

We find It more useful to view development as intentional growth. When our focus shifts from just getting bigger to getting better, it often requires getting smaller or doing less. Restraint.

August 22 – Clarity Paradox

Clarity comes at the cost of removing the non-essential.

August 23 – Knowledge and Understanding

Knowledge is the application of information into action. It’s the intentional collection and use of information, answering the question, “How to, or how do we do this?”

Understanding is the assignment of meaning to a thing, event, or action. It’s the intentional process of valuing and organizing information, answering the question, “Why, or why does this matter?” Understanding goes beyond the How. It digs into the Why by answering “Why is this important? Why it works the way it does? Why do we care?”

Knowledge is gathering the right data, learning the right methods, and putting them into practice. That process requires a guide, and they come in numerous forms – books, teachers, gurus, or ChatGPT. The guide shows us where to find the information and instructs us on how to use and apply the information. This is almost always based on the orientation of the GUIDE.

Understanding demands more than following. It is reflecting on information, seeing how it plays out, and making connections for ourselves. That process requires outcomes. The outcomes in terms of how they matter to us, outcomes we like, and outcomes we don’t. These outcomes are necessary so we have additional reference to capture learning that will help OUR orientation with the information.

When we apply information, we gain knowledge. When we translate information, we gain understanding.

Asking for an explanation and hoping to get an understanding is not possible.

It’s up to us to translate it into our OWN understanding.

August 24 – Waffles, Spaghetti, and Lasagna

Classy Problems is lasagna.

In crafting Classy Problems, we’ve been intentional with our decisions. Like when eating lasagna, we hope you’ll let it rest so the sauce can set. We’ve also portioned it in a way that will leave you with leftovers. Revisit these ideas and combine them with others to create your own meal.

August 25 – The Artist’s Dilemma

The artist has the courage to see what’s possible AND the willingness to fail in the attempt.

Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding.

What is a classy problem?

A classy problem is when we’ve been afforded the opportunity to figure out what to do. When faced with classy problems, it is more effective to focus on what NOT to do than trying to figure out what to do. In a word – restraint. Join us in exploring the distinction between what to do and what not to do in the pursuit of clarity.

SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: Welcome to the ‘Spiritual Gangster’ wing of The Sober Curator, a haven for those on a sober journey with a twist of spiritual sass and purpose. Here, we invite you to plunge headfirst into a world of meditation, astrology, intentionality, and spiritual reflection – all while keeping your feet (and sobriety) firmly on the ground.

SOBERSCRIBE NOW!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.