Dumb Things: Golf, Others

“Everyone on earth is stupid except for me and you, and I’m starting to worry about you.”

• Dick Heston (1933 – 2002), my dad and a clever (and funny) dude

“Two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not yet completely sure about the universe.”

• Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955), German-born theoretical physicist

Golf matters to me, which might be proof Dad’s concerns were well-placed. Last night, I was two over par through five holes and proceeded to triple bogey the last four. Dumb. Game. Dumber. Player.

Our health system is dumb. Our political system, perfect in design, and now completely wrecked by Einstein’s “human stupidity theory.” (Theory or fact. Let the debate begin!)

Our tax system is dumb, most of our organizational structures are at least dopey. College sports have become dumb. Smart phones are dumb and making us dumber, and — well, before I go too far into “Get off my lawn!” mode, hopefully you’re at least along for the ride.

I only have five “rules” and the fifth one was a gift from a leader of mine about twenty years ago. “Heston, let’s add a fifth rule,” he said. “Rule #5: Let’s don’t do stupid stuff.”

Some people get offended by that, feeling like their intelligence is being questioned. Not the case! It’s our actions that we ought to question, and the smarter we are, the more critical we ought to be in that effort! Not only was Einstein smart (look it up!), but he was also human; yet, he called out all of us in his indictment. Heck, if you’re reading this blog, the odds are, you’re pretty danged smart.

How can we get through today without doing something to refute that?

Does what I’m doing make sense now? What if I didn’t do this thing I’m thinking about doing? What if we spit-balled three options on how to tackle this thing we know we ought to do, before we jump in and just do it? Another great quote from Dad: “Don’t just do something! Stand there!” A pause, a breath, presence, focus – they all prevent Rule #5 violations.

Stupidity, dumbness – call it what you will – wilts in the face of questions. Let’s be curious!