Big Picture Thinking

One of the more fascinating figures from the past was a man named Alexander Von Humboldt. While he may not be a household name these days in the same way, say, Sir Issac Newton is, he should be. It was Von Humboldt, for instance, who was among the first to raise the possibility that Africa and South America were once joined. As he made this observation back in the nineteenth century, it demonstrated an amazing ability to look at a situation from a distance and put forth a new and different perspective. I call that big-picture thinking to which I have always had a soft spot in my heart.

Von Humboldt, in his inprecidented field work of studying nature throughout the world, also introduced the notion that there exists a link between science and culture. To some, in today's world, that view may not seem like much of a stretch, but it was then. (Actually, even today, there are those who disagree with that possible linkage.) I highlight Von Humboldt here because his approach to life's array of variables is one I wish were more prevalent nowadays. I particularly see it missing in the field of communication. I refer not just to the study of this social science but to the actual practice of it.

Why do some folks with one set of political opinions refuse to recognize view points of others in other area such as science or sociology, to cite one example? Is a political perspective really all-encompassing? Why do hard-line conservatives refuse to recognize the reality of man's contribution to global warming? Why do hard-line liberals fail to be open to differing attitudes toward healthcare or gun legislation? It seems folks get caught up in one philosophy that they allow it to dominate their attitude toward other areas of life. The result is closed-minded thinking that gets in the way of open dialog.  One answer is the kind of big picture thinking demonstrated by Von Humboldt.