[Ailist] RE: What You Think upon Grows

[Howard Ditkoff]

Leif,

The inventor story and the reframing of the term "problem" is an interesting one. And I think it embodies ONE of the two main "problem" cases - a deviation from a goal. In such a case of a "problem" the challenge is, indeed, to simply articulate more clearly what the goal is so that you can appreciate the difference between the present reality and the desired goal.

But there is another case of "problem" that is somewhat different. I might call that the case of an unidentified chronic point of resistance. In a way, the first case is a subset of this one. Not having a clear goal articulated can itself be a chronic point of resistance. Once the goal is clear, that "problem" is solved. But even then, in pursuing this clearer goal, you may find additional points of resistance. Some of these points of resistance come from things we can change internally, some things that we can change externally, and some that we can't change at all. The serenity prayer is relevant here. 

I think once you are seasoned in the appreciative mindset, you become better and better at stating affirmative end goals. But chronic resistance is where "problems" continue to be challenging and where AI, if it is misused as focusing only on the 'positive,' or if used in a way that assumes all resistance comes simply from internal values and beliefs or even from things humans can control at all, can really meet its match.

Best,
Howard
Website: http://www.SystemsThinker.com
Blog: http://blog.SystemsThinker.com
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