American Idol . . . More Info Isn’t the Answer
This is my first year to really watch “American Idol” (as in setting the DVR and even watching with fast-forward after church). I’ve been inspired by three nieces. As a 51-year-old uncle, I have to fight to be relevant.
My money’s on David Cook. The guy can rock. Who do you think? (Please don’t leave me hanging here. I just admitted that I’ve been watching “American Idol”!)
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I’d like to write a book entitled “More Information Isn’t the Answer.” Can you see how that applies to marriage? church? nearly any relationship?
We often say that we need to study something further. Maybe we do. But very often, more information isn’t the answer.
My wife mentions a problem at work to me. I provide, thanks to my insight and expertise (ha!) a solution. More information isn’t the answer.
The church has studied a topic for a year or two. They’ve looked at every conceivable angle. It’s time to make a decision and move forward. But inevitably someone says, “We need to study this more.” More information isn’t the answer.
What do you think? Good book?
Here is a great [short] article written by a missionary to the third world poor titled American Idle… pass it on.
http://www.shepherdserve.org/e_teachings/2006_04.htm
Jim
Save the book. I already know more than I do!
This is a wise insight that I first learned in reading Edwin Friedman’s works. We are in an age of information, but sometimes the solution in leadership is not more info, but strong differentiation. Good thoughts.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
Mike…
I’ve been terrible in sending some comments…sorry! I had to comment, you know, on Amercan Idol. Love me some David Cooke. He DOES in fact ROCK. I like Little David Archeletta too though. What an amaing instrument for such a young age!
And…it’s so weird that you wrote about “more information”. I have been struck this week with the same thoughts and lost in the irony of some of it. Sermons about unity and how “we’re a different kind of church” are getting tired to me. How about just being a different kind of church. As is so eloquently stated by Country singer Toby Keith… “A little less talk and a lot more action!”
Mike-I think you are probably right about David Cook and your nieces should be pleased that you know something about American Idol! Check out the Doobie Brothers-Jesus Is Just Alright, Little River Band, or how about the Bee Gees!
Mike, great subject. I’m hesitant to throw marriage relationships and church into the same breathe when concerning more information. My hunch is that you were speaking more about church decisions. As for the relationship side, there is research to support that pre-marital prep classes, marriage enrichment, classes on the transition to parenthood, and conflict resolution classes can help relationships. As a teacher of such classes, the extent to which more information leads to actual changed behavior is somewhat questionable, but it does happen…and probably more than not having a class. To me the issue of “more information” is developmental…based on your previous experiences and current stage in life/relationship. As for the church, it sure does seem a lot easier/comfortable to discuss thou should or should not than to actually start walking.
A belated comment about “more info isn’t the answer”:
Two weeks ago a friend was lamenting his tendency to overanalyze (his sins in this conversation) and he noted that if he were on the Titanic, he would not get into a lifeboat until he figured out exactly why it hit the iceberg first. I suppose someone else said this first, but I don’t know the origin of this quote.
Sometimes we just have to flee. Anyway, your comment reminded me of his. Blessings…
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