Keep it simple stupid
Keep it simple stupid is a recommendation often heard in the rooms of various 12 step program meetings. It seems many of us humans have a tendency to out think our way into a destructive mindset. Whether the self-destruction is sabotaging one’s own spiritual growth directly or forgetting that what we do or do not do has a systemic affect neglecting to “keep it simple stupid” has grave consequences.
Earlier today I was listening to a Ted talk by a prosecutor in Boston. Adam Foss is the prosecutor and his Ted Talk is entitled “A prosecutor’s vision for a better justice system”. I strongly urge all those interested in spending less tax money on a system which is both self-defeating and self-perpetuating listen to his talk. Very simply, he reminds the listener that:
Neither he or nor I are suggesting that we are at a point in our understanding of the functioning of the brain that we know how to help those who may indeed be career criminals and/or those who are incapable of considering the rights and needs of others. Yet I would and have argued that no one in the community is better off when the goal is punishment. The only positive affect of punishment is the short-term gratification to those doing or advocating the punishment. On the other hand, teaching accountability can work for many.
Neither Mr. Foss nor I are suggesting that there is always a simple answer. Yet he is suggesting that simply taking the time to look further than the actual “facts” of the alleged crime and getting to know the person could potentially save a lot of lives and a lot of money.
It is my experience that many of the individuals who are adjudicated to be criminals and sent to jail are men and women whose major crime was mental illness, addiction or some other treatable condition. Their crime may have been theft, assault, domestic violence or even murder/homicide but the identifiable problem or diagnosis is not the crime, but the condition which led to the crime.
Taking the interest and the time to correctly diagnose any problem always pays off big time. As any carpenter, engineer, architect, mechanic or physician knows it may take more time to do a thorough assessment and diagnosis but doing so is always helpful and cost effective long term. Any professional knows that this is a simple, step by step process. It may, at times, be tedious, but it is very simple.
Mr. Foss might or might not appreciate me suggesting that the essence of his recommendation for a better/more effective judicial system is to “keep it simple stupid”.
Written July 7, 2018
coachpickett.org
Jimmy F. Pickett LPC, AADC
Keep it simple stupid is a recommendation often heard in the rooms of various 12 step program meetings. It seems many of us humans have a tendency to out think our way into a destructive mindset. Whether the self-destruction is sabotaging one’s own spiritual growth directly or forgetting that what we do or do not do has a systemic affect neglecting to “keep it simple stupid” has grave consequences.
Earlier today I was listening to a Ted talk by a prosecutor in Boston. Adam Foss is the prosecutor and his Ted Talk is entitled “A prosecutor’s vision for a better justice system”. I strongly urge all those interested in spending less tax money on a system which is both self-defeating and self-perpetuating listen to his talk. Very simply, he reminds the listener that:
- Prosecutors have an enormous amount of power. They decide who will be charged with a criminal offense and, thus, who will be forever known as a convicted criminal/person with a criminal record. Whether looking for a job, applying for a security clearance, or filling one of the many vacancies as an Air Force Pilot, he or she will be rejected.
- Many of those who come before the attention of the prosecutor are mentally ill, have an addictive disorder or have had a case of non-terminal dumbness. Prosecution, incarceration, and the ensuing loss of tax paying productive time is hugely expensive.
- The judicial system often unfairly targets those without money, family support/other mentors, or access to quality treatment.
Neither he or nor I are suggesting that we are at a point in our understanding of the functioning of the brain that we know how to help those who may indeed be career criminals and/or those who are incapable of considering the rights and needs of others. Yet I would and have argued that no one in the community is better off when the goal is punishment. The only positive affect of punishment is the short-term gratification to those doing or advocating the punishment. On the other hand, teaching accountability can work for many.
Neither Mr. Foss nor I are suggesting that there is always a simple answer. Yet he is suggesting that simply taking the time to look further than the actual “facts” of the alleged crime and getting to know the person could potentially save a lot of lives and a lot of money.
It is my experience that many of the individuals who are adjudicated to be criminals and sent to jail are men and women whose major crime was mental illness, addiction or some other treatable condition. Their crime may have been theft, assault, domestic violence or even murder/homicide but the identifiable problem or diagnosis is not the crime, but the condition which led to the crime.
Taking the interest and the time to correctly diagnose any problem always pays off big time. As any carpenter, engineer, architect, mechanic or physician knows it may take more time to do a thorough assessment and diagnosis but doing so is always helpful and cost effective long term. Any professional knows that this is a simple, step by step process. It may, at times, be tedious, but it is very simple.
Mr. Foss might or might not appreciate me suggesting that the essence of his recommendation for a better/more effective judicial system is to “keep it simple stupid”.
Written July 7, 2018
coachpickett.org
Jimmy F. Pickett LPC, AADC
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