IF and IS

In any public debate, the loudest voices usually come from the binary thinkers.*

Binary thinkers see the world as ‘either/or’. Something is THIS, or it is THAT. It can’t be both.

Their voices become the loudest because they are the majority – approx 90 per cent of the population are naturally wired to be binary thinkers.

Their voices become the loudest because it is easiest for the media, for decision makers and for the general public to grasp a binary argument.

Their voices become the loudest because like supports like.

What gets drowned out is the voice of the non-binary thinker. The people whose brains are wired from birth to see everything as ‘both/and’.

(This of course, speaks to a much larger problem: that, unlike centuries ago, the divergent thinker is generally not recognised, rewarded, valued or accepted in contemporary society.)

But the world, and the world’s debate, needs binary and non-binary thinkers. Both are important for arriving at truth.

Binary thinkers seek and identify the ‘what is’ – the solid, tangible matter (“What is ABC and XYZ?”)

Non-binary thinkers seek and identify the ‘what if’ – the intangibles (“What if ABC and XYX?”)

Which are you? If you are happy to choose a ‘side’ (of politics, of an argument etc), you’re likely a binary thinker. If it feels impossible to do this, you’re likely a non-binary thinker. There are parallels here with the concept of convergent and divergent thinking.

I’m a non-binary thinker. It’s exquisitely hard for me to deploy either/or thinking. But I recognise its value. That binary thinking is of equal value to my way of thinking.

And this is an important point.

Binary thinkers may make up 90% of thinkers, but their thinking does not equate to 90% of valuable thought. Their thinking is 50% of valuable thought. And the other 50% of valuable thought: non-binary thinkers (even though they are 10% of the population). [I'm taking a little creative licence with the Paredo principle here]

One should not dominate the other if we want true enlightenment.

Unfortunately, it's not just the world’s debate that has been dominated by the majority, by the binary thinkers. Every framework on the planet, from our education system to our social structures, has been designed by and for the binary thinker.

It leaves the non-binary thinkers in a difficult situation (from the moment they enter pre-school, and likely earlier). And does everyone – aka humankind – a disservice.

It should not have come to this (we are actually regressing in this area right now). Cognitive diversity – binary and non-binary thinking – and its impact, is the most critical discussion to be having today. I dream every day of a world where the binary and non-binary are equally accepted and valued.

Begin with yourself: be aware that some people experience and process the world differently to you. Not just ‘have different opinions’ to you… but actually experience and process the world differently to you.

*My anecdotal observation.