One potato, two potato, …
I had not consciously thought of the nursey rhyme “One potato, two potato” in many years. I have no idea why my aged brain suddenly decided to bring this previously stored rhyme to the surface this morning. The rhyme has been used by children in many parts of the English-speaking world and I suspect in other parts of the world for many years and can a fun way to decide who is “it.” Usually, all the children playing put out their two fists. One child goes around tapping the other kids’ fist with his fist. The one whose fist he ends the rhyme on is out. Eventually there is only one child left and he or she is “it.’ The full rhyme is:
One potato, two potato,
Three potato, four,
Five potato, six potato,
Seven potato, more!
For children, this can be a fun game although I am not sure of its competitive value in the days which now include video games, X –box and other far more interesting games.
Sadly, it seems, however, that many of us who are now expected to think or act like responsible adults use some version of his nursery rhyme as a decision-making model. Instead of what my friend Rose called a moral compass or what I label as my core set of values or what some may refer to as “right, just, or fair” decision-making model, one makes decisions based on the immediate and often short-term reward principle or on what is the easier or least strenuous path.
The one potato, two potato decision making-model may be very attractive to many of us humans because it essentially relieves us of the burden of responsibility or making a decision which may be uncomfortable.
Earlier today I was listening to an elected official talk about the facts that:
· Some part of every day is spent on fund raising efforts with special interest groups.
· Elected officials or representatives can only be effective if they retain some position of power.
· Elections are enormously expensive.
· When one initiates or votes on legislation one then has to think about how special interest people or groups may respond. Will special interest group B contribute more money to the re-election campaign? If B is, will C by displeased?
It is easy to use politicians as an example of those who use the one potato, two potato decision-making model. Yet, many of us in our own personal and work lives use a similar model. We may ask ourselves:
· One potato. Is this decision likely to cost me money?
· Two potato. Is someone going to be critical of my decision?
· Three potato. What are the immediate and long-term financial consequences of this decision?
· Four potato. Who will know what decision I make?
· Five potato. Is there some immediate gain from this decision?
· Six Potato. The only person or company affected is a large one with lots of money they will not miss.
· Seven potato: Everyone is doing it.
Just as important as what we are asking is what we are not asking. For example:
· What does my moral compass say or what are my core values?
· Am I going to experience a sense of spiritual peace or contentment following this decision?
· If I am a parent, living or working with any other people, am I willing to recommend that everyone use the one potato, two potato model of decision-making or am I suggesting that I be allowed to use it but others should not?
Some might say that the one potato, two potato model is “just the cost of doing business and making money.” Some might say that this model is it as just the cost of getting elected and staying in an elected position. Some might say that it is the necessary cost of providing for one’s family. This model may allow for a good, private school for one’s children who can then be trained to critically think when they are adults. It may allow for those purchases which will ensure that one’s children or ourselves feel equal to the others who can purchase the latest X game, car, large flat screen home theater, or ….
If we are lucky, we all have people or situations in our lives which force us to articulate own our decision-making model. This confrontation may leave us feeling very uncomfortable, frightened and, at times, alone. Perhaps this is the necessary cost of using a moral compass or core set of values to make decision which we would openly and gladly leave as our moral footprint.
Written July 21,2017
I had not consciously thought of the nursey rhyme “One potato, two potato” in many years. I have no idea why my aged brain suddenly decided to bring this previously stored rhyme to the surface this morning. The rhyme has been used by children in many parts of the English-speaking world and I suspect in other parts of the world for many years and can a fun way to decide who is “it.” Usually, all the children playing put out their two fists. One child goes around tapping the other kids’ fist with his fist. The one whose fist he ends the rhyme on is out. Eventually there is only one child left and he or she is “it.’ The full rhyme is:
One potato, two potato,
Three potato, four,
Five potato, six potato,
Seven potato, more!
For children, this can be a fun game although I am not sure of its competitive value in the days which now include video games, X –box and other far more interesting games.
Sadly, it seems, however, that many of us who are now expected to think or act like responsible adults use some version of his nursery rhyme as a decision-making model. Instead of what my friend Rose called a moral compass or what I label as my core set of values or what some may refer to as “right, just, or fair” decision-making model, one makes decisions based on the immediate and often short-term reward principle or on what is the easier or least strenuous path.
The one potato, two potato decision making-model may be very attractive to many of us humans because it essentially relieves us of the burden of responsibility or making a decision which may be uncomfortable.
Earlier today I was listening to an elected official talk about the facts that:
· Some part of every day is spent on fund raising efforts with special interest groups.
· Elected officials or representatives can only be effective if they retain some position of power.
· Elections are enormously expensive.
· When one initiates or votes on legislation one then has to think about how special interest people or groups may respond. Will special interest group B contribute more money to the re-election campaign? If B is, will C by displeased?
It is easy to use politicians as an example of those who use the one potato, two potato decision-making model. Yet, many of us in our own personal and work lives use a similar model. We may ask ourselves:
· One potato. Is this decision likely to cost me money?
· Two potato. Is someone going to be critical of my decision?
· Three potato. What are the immediate and long-term financial consequences of this decision?
· Four potato. Who will know what decision I make?
· Five potato. Is there some immediate gain from this decision?
· Six Potato. The only person or company affected is a large one with lots of money they will not miss.
· Seven potato: Everyone is doing it.
Just as important as what we are asking is what we are not asking. For example:
· What does my moral compass say or what are my core values?
· Am I going to experience a sense of spiritual peace or contentment following this decision?
· If I am a parent, living or working with any other people, am I willing to recommend that everyone use the one potato, two potato model of decision-making or am I suggesting that I be allowed to use it but others should not?
Some might say that the one potato, two potato model is “just the cost of doing business and making money.” Some might say that this model is it as just the cost of getting elected and staying in an elected position. Some might say that it is the necessary cost of providing for one’s family. This model may allow for a good, private school for one’s children who can then be trained to critically think when they are adults. It may allow for those purchases which will ensure that one’s children or ourselves feel equal to the others who can purchase the latest X game, car, large flat screen home theater, or ….
If we are lucky, we all have people or situations in our lives which force us to articulate own our decision-making model. This confrontation may leave us feeling very uncomfortable, frightened and, at times, alone. Perhaps this is the necessary cost of using a moral compass or core set of values to make decision which we would openly and gladly leave as our moral footprint.
Written July 21,2017
RSS Feed