Sometimes "inside the box" isn't so bad

A tribute to sense. . . the common kind

These days there’s a tremendous amount of attention and adulation given to iconic visionaries, those who are real “outside of the box” thinkers, and who have catapulted our society forward through their amazing innovations and disruptive ideas. And rightfully so, because whether it’s electric cars, ridesharing, food delivery, instant communication tools, or you name it, their unconventional thinking has definitely moved the needle to change the way we think and live.

But what about the rest of the world, and all of us non-gurus? When one takes a step back, there’s actually something to be said and appreciated for conventional and logical thinking. It may be boringly “inside the box”, but sometimes it could also be called common sense? This is the type of thinking that keeps the lights on, the machines running, and helps us stay on track operating between the barriers and buoys.

Sure, it’s great to have mavericks who shoot for the stars and send rockets to Mars. And they deserve big kudos. But isn’t it also reassuring to look around and see people who are still “grounded”, and are not constantly trying to defy logic. Frankly, there’s some functions that are better left to those who apply common sense (i.e., people who operate businesses, coach and teach our kids, pilot our planes, or govern our country/world).

Let’s face it, sometimes it’s okay to remain within the boundaries of reason and stay “inside the box”. In fact, my guess is that’s why there are barbed wire fences around high voltage power stations or railings in front of steep cliffs? And by the way, when I visit the zoo, I happen to like seeing those wild animals safely contained behind glass walls and restricted boundaries. There’s usually a very good reason for it, and it might be good common sense to heed the warning signs.

In this world of giga-technologies and seemingly mega-complexity, we’re often distracted by the shiny objects of what has been defined as “progress”, and constantly urged to pursue and accept unconventional thinking, with the assuring mantra that “this time it’s different”. Sometimes, we might just find that once we filter out the fluff and static, the best answer comes down to good ol’ common sense. . . like knowing when to come in out of the rain to avoid getting wet.

It’s a reminder of the story of the former chief executive of Bell & Howell, and his non-technical approach used in producing innovative but practical products. In its day, Bell & Howell was a leading technology company, and its Research and Development team was continually developing and designing new products for the market. When the R&D team had a new product ready for testing and evaluation, they’d pass it over to the ‘tech layman’ executive to try it out, usually without offering much instruction or guidance. Thereafter, he would then use his common sense to figure out the product on his own, often fumbling and bumbling around with it. But to his credit, on more than one occasion, his “common sense” approach would come up with valuable and practical ideas and suggestions to improve the product - beneficial ideas that had been missed and/or overlooked by the much smarter and more educated R&D team.

There’s a lesson here that before we get too overwhelmed by constantly using unconventional approaches to disrupt everything we do and think, we might want to interject a healthy dose of common sense. Because, when it comes right down to it, common sense is a good thing, and it should be appropriately appreciated and revered.

By applying common sense, we might find that things aren’t always as complicated as we originally thought. Which might also be why the book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Pulghum became so popular.