Human Problem-Solving: Our Limitations

In his book, The Anti-Education Era, James Paul Gee analyzes what may cause poor decision-making and a lack of problem-solving skills in humans. Gee (2013) notes that his book is about “...what sorts of creatures we humans are and how we can become better ones” (p. X). Even though our brains are amazing machines that are capable of great things, we limit ourselves to the mediocre and routine because it is easy, comfortable, or we are just plain scared. There is, however, a glimmer of hope about how we can rewire our brains to think and solve problems smartly.

Gee writes compelling arguments throughout Part I that remind us all why humans are so stupid. He reminds us that the use of technological tools does not automatically make us smarter, but in fact can dumb us down if not used properly (p. IX). He goes on to remind us that humans “... are exceedingly good at believing what we want and need to believe, even in the face of counterevidence” (p. 1). We also need to remember how the human brain actually works. “What we store in our head is not ‘the truth,’ but a version of reality as we see it and sometimes as we wish it to be” (p. 22). In addition, our human minds were not built for this modern world. We created culture to help us cope with and explain the strange, and often dangerous realities of our harsh world. We seek power and belonging, and make choices about how we think, value, and behave in order to gain these, often at the expense of other humans (p. 60).

One argument that Gee makes that I find particularly compelling is in Chapter 10. He talks about institutions and frozen thought. These institutions “...exist in part to ‘think for us’” and to organize large groups toward conformity and standardization (p. 85) . These groups are often stuck in time with outdated ideologies that persist simply because we are “...comfortable with what we already know” (p. 87). Unfortunately many schools today fall into the category of institutions with frozen thought. We are still doing school the way it has been done for decades. It is difficult for teachers and staff to continue to do things the same way in our classrooms when we know that today’s students need something different. This causes a conflict between following the curriculum or doing what is best for students. Change is difficult for any group to go through, but things cannot stay the same. We are losing more and more of our students because they simply cannot see the point of an education which is a scary thought indeed.

What does this mean for humankind? Are we doomed to destroy ourselves and our world because we cannot overcome these limitations?

Thankfully there is still hope for humanity. Who or what is our savior? Education. Knowledge is the first step in overcoming any obstacle and Gee’s book offers those willing to act a step-by-step guide to becoming smart. According to Gee, humans need to learn, use, and practice the circuit of reflective action to help us improve our problem-solving and decision-making skills. This circuit includes mentorship, prior experiences, clear goals, meaningful purpose, and the opportunity for action (p. 13). In addition, to overcome our stupidity we must be willing to seek out knowledge that may not be useful immediately. Humans need to embrace innovation, and “...consider possibilities and alternatives” (p. 140). We need to look for knowledge and learning in a variety of sources (p. 144). In addition, we must always remember that we do not live in isolation, but rather as a complex web of billions of connections and relationships. One choice can change everything.

I am eager to read Part II to find out what solutions Gee proposes to fix humanity’s stupidity epidemic. We must remember “...education as a force for drawing out of each of us our best selves in the service of an intellectually and morally good life and good society” (p. XIV). If we can learn anything from our stupidity, hopefully it can be how to overcome it to make a better life for all of us.