ARE YOU A “THINK” OR A ?NO-THINK”?

Fifty-two years ago (I was 20 years old at the time) I conceived and promoted my theory that the world was made up of two two kinds of people — “Thinks” And “No-thinks”.  

“Thinks” observe, read, listen, research, gather facts, consider the possibilities in the light of probability and reason and then form their  opinions. Those opinions is not written in stone.  It may be modified or changed in the light of the continuing process that “thinks” employ.  “Thinks are constantly reexamining, questioning and challenging their beliefs and modifying them in the light of their ongoing inquiry.  “Thinks” can present themselves as elitists and arrogant, even condescending.  Because they are constantly searching, they can seem fickle and indecisive.  

“No-thinks”, on the other hand approach life very differently.  They are not introspective, thoughtful people. They process life on the basis of impulse and emotion.  They tend to accept unquestioningly whatever is consistent with their preconceived and unexamined convictions and reject whatever is inconsistent with those opinions, beliefs and convictions. They life in a state of reactionary fear, ignorance and outrage.  Many tend to live in a universe of negativity and victimhood while others drift through life untouched and unmoved by reality, preferring to live in their comfortable bubble of preferred unreality.  “No-thinks” say, “My mind is made up.  Don’t confuse me with the facts.”  When confronted, they often retort, “That’s just YOUR opinion!” as though opinions and facts are equivalent.  “No-thinks” love authority.  Their world is black and white.  Those who agree with them are white and everybody else is black.  White is friend; black is foe.

Obviously, this construct has flaws. People rarely fall one hundred percent  into either extreme.  Nevertheless, I believe that most people  belong predominantly in one of the other of these two categories.  It helps explain why members of each group are baffled by the behaviors of the opposite group.  It helps me to be more compassionate and less judgmental of those who disagree with me and those who see the world so differently.

Jim Smith

July 10, 2020