Skip to main content

Bias about bias

Three hours worth.  A workshop on conscious bias that I sat through (without bias I might add).  Conducted by a consulting company it seems to tout the need to coach executives who apparently may have some.  Bias that is and not be aware of it.  Now merely having one to me does not signify anything meaningful.  Its like drawing attention to the fact that you have a colon.  Or an amygdala.  In fact the amygdala, a small gland in the matter that constitutes our brain plays a protagonist role in the whole concept of biases.

It seems our instinct for snap judgement comes from this little gland secreting a bunch of chemicals and helping with decision making.  That decision is a result of some deep seated bias.  When we see a bunch of solidly built dudes without a shirt one might think biker gang member or a street tough.  Add tattoos to the mix and our brain further goes on high alert.  These are examples of bias.

The whole point of a bunch of slides and some rather grainy videos was to highlight the fact that we need to inhale before sounding off and pausing before exploding with an opinion is usually beneficial to the exploder.

All is well with this advice but of course when its crunch time its fight or flight.  Linger and you might not live long to pause again.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Of chocolates

I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.

Columbia SC

 The Palmetto state.  One of the confederate kinds. History dating couple centuries back.  We visited the capital yet again this time to take in the SC State Museum. Occupying the former digs (literally remodeled) of an erstwhile cotton mill this structure is an amazing piece of reimagination.  Four floors of excitement for kids and young at heart alike. Located on the shores of the Congaree River formed when the Broad meets up with the Saluda River, this edifice is approx. 60 years old.  The front of the building has a more modern planetarium that was added about a decade ago.  The museum itself has different areas of interest segregated on each of its four floors. The first floor has gift shop and a diorama of some of the local geography including the swamps and the state beaches with audio guides to help understand what fauna thrives locally. The second floor is all about natural history and showcases animal kingdom that may have survived on this latitud...

Gab about Gaps

There are a number of news stories these days where conversation inevitably turns to discussing some sort of GAP - Gap between rich and poor is growing Gap is losing market share to other clothiers The Dow is Gapping Down (so is the NASDAQ) and the dollar is Gapping Up The guy who advised British public over the PA on dangers of tube travel with the phrase 'MIND THE GAP' has died There is a frightening Gap between our Debts and Savings Gap between Executive pay and Average worker salary is at an all time high All I am doing is listening to all this unfold with my mouth aGAPe. What me worry?