Chapter 3

Problem Solving

What is the greatest problem facing the world?

The answer: Not finding the simple solutions to problems.

We need to organize the world's problems into a common database and application
format and then implement an optimized, standardized approach to solving all of them (JRE Link, 2018-0302 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Problem solving technology––the greatest technology of all––is lagging behind other
advancements of civilization (JRE Link, 2019-0108 (Tue), COM-STR2).

The science of problem solving should become the most important area of study in our
schools and universities, having a special, elevated status in curriculums. Problem solving at the
macro and micro levels of society is for everyone, young and old alike.

The great problems of mankind will humble you. Taking part in the effort to solve them
will inspire you (JRE Link, 2017-0821 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Being a problem solver for the world––the best career possible.

Instead of just talking about, marching around in reaction to, or complaining about the
nation's problems, you can take an active role in helping to solve them.

Pure problem solving is efficient and effective in achieving society's goals, surpassing the
nasty tools of political activism at every turn.

Rewards of all kinds will come to you as you see America succeed more and more and
realize that you are an important part of that success.

Full-time or part-time jobs in this new industry will be some of the most important and
valuable ones ever undertaken in the history of the world.

Problem solving brings education, opportunity, and compassion together as one in the
lives of all people. Lives can be lifted from poverty and hopelessness.

So many people in the world are busily accomplishing nothing every day. Meanwhile, the
work of solving problems is left undone (JRE Link, 2019-0108 (Tue), COM-STR2).

So much sadness in the world. So much truth that sits on the sidelines doing nothing (JRE Link, 2019-0108 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Let's build factories of ideas with online assembly lines staffed by people throughout
America and all over the world. Workers busy growing in knowledge as they help solve world
problems––a double win.

Let's sit down and chat. We can discover the truth together (JRE Link, 2018-0528 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

Winning public debates is not our goal. Inspiring people and helping them live high
ideals is our goal (JRE Link, 2018-0910 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Debate is not a truth-seeking exercise. Debate is not problem solving. The world has had
this misconception of what debate is and what it is not since the beginning of civilization.

We need to stop debating each other and instead spend our time researching facts and
establishing them as controversy-free truths that all can enjoy.

We debate often for fun and to entertain ourselves, or to show off our great wisdom and
educational background in front of others in public or private settings. A great deal of energy is
wasted as we participate in and strive to win debates on every kind of issue. We tend to select the
subset of facts that most closely matches our positions, and our view of the world, and then
present it to others as if it was the whole truth. Armed with these partial truths, we take aim at
our opponents, and even sometimes belittle them with witty or rude comments––an effort to
show ourselves as not only right, but doubly smarter than them as well.

True problem solving requires a closed-loop process in which there is precision in the
techniques used and the overall flow of the key information that is followed from start to finish.
Even the great scientific minds of the world still often use position papers or public debate
forums instead of advanced, interactive problem-solving tools––tools that can be used by their
peers and the public at large to validate and to interact with their claims point by point at both
summary and detail levels.

Problem solving, when successful, creates a meaningful and measurable output that is of
absolute value to the participants. Debate, in contrast, between individuals in public settings, on
TV shows, in legislative committees, in business meetings, in extended email exchanges back
and forth, and on Internet podcasts and forums, is mostly just entertainment. It does help us learn
what others think or believe on a given subject, but it is a raw exchange of ideas only. It is a way
to discuss an issue at hand in a simplistic manner, but not a way to establish the truth and
permanently solve the issue for mankind once and for all. The vast energy and resources used by
all of us to tear down one another in debates and political campaigns should be harnessed and
redirected toward pure problem solving efforts of the nation's pressing issues.

Problem solving is the tool to prevent wars, political battles, and fights between
businesses, neighbors, married couples, and individuals––the means by which success for
everyone in life is ultimately realized. Debate, in contrast, is frequently the source of problems––
each side talks past each other and any valid points made by either party are ignored or

minimized. Debate inflames passions one against another, whereas problem solving activities
calm those passions and lead to resolution. One of our most important accomplishments as a
country will be achieved when we have rid ourselves of this senseless political debate that has
always divided us.

Debate is this––to overstate the value of our own ideas and understate the value of our
opponent's ideas.

Debate is this––advocacy of our own ideas takes precedence over the pursuit of truth.

Debate is this––to mischaracterize your opponent's position in crafty ways to make him
look bad in the public eye.

We need to stop mischaracterizing each other. Accurately and warmly state your
opponent's stance on issues, identifying strengths in his or her position, and looking for areas of
agreement. Then take the opportunity to walk through some of your own ideas as your opponent
and the audience listen.

To quote from Les Miserables:

It is not that we are not capable of fighting, we do not refuse a hand-to-hand combat with
the obstacle, and to attack it by main force and explosively; but it might suit us better to bring
the human race into accord with its destiny gradually, by means of education, the inculcation of
axioms, the promulgation of positive laws; and, between two lights, our preference rather for
illumination than for conflagration. A conflagration can create an aurora, no doubt, but why not
await the dawn? A volcano illuminates, but daybreak furnishes a still better illumination. Let us
prefer the whiteness of the beautiful to the blaze of the sublime.

Debate can be laid aside. Let true problem solving for America and the world begin (JRE Link, 2017-0306 (Mon), COM-STR2).

America––A nation of lawyers. A nation of office-seekers. A nation too often of pointless
debate (JRE Link, 2018-0503 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Public policy must be grounded in truth, not pulled out of a political strategist's bag of
tricks.

How unusual would it be for a Democratic strategist and a Republican strategist to appear
on cable TV and work through problems together, step by step, rather than try to defeat each
other in yet another silly and pointless debate?

Problem solving will lead to a sudden surge of knowledge in America. Let the power of
truth take hold in the hearts of all citizens, Republicans and Democrats both.

Problem solving in society doesn't require a political ideology, just dedication to true
principles.

Let's transition from political discourse to problem solving. The promising future of
America is waiting in the wings––the wings of eagles.

Let's work through problems together, one at a time, slowly and surely.

We need talented problem solvers, not talented debaters.

We need formal problem-solving tools, not successful debate tactics (JRE Link, 2018-0818 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Political debate is for ambitious politicians or political activists who want to advance
their careers. Problem solving is for serious people who love America and want to see a great
future for everyone.

Governing + problem solving, not governing + political gamesmanship (JRE Link, 2019-0828 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Don’t be hard-edged. Speak simply and softly to others in the language of problem
solving.

Problem solvers have a doer's mindset. They lead by example in the work they do (JRE Link, 2022-0922 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Quiet contemplation of the nation's problems coupled with polite dialogue with one
another in the public square—this is how good men and women of the nation use their time
wisely to improve society (JRE Link, 2022-0922 (Thu), COM-STR2).

The political activism approach was wrong from the beginning. All we really ever needed
in America––and in all nations of the world––was pure, non-partisan problem solving in
government and in our communities (JRE Link, 2017-1006 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Run as far away from political activism as you can. Be part of the solution to our nation's
problems, not a source of them (JRE Link, 2019-0706 (Sat), COM-STR2).

In addition, America needs to humble herself and look upwards for inspiration. Heaven is
overflowing with great ideas that will change America for the better. We need to have faith and
trust in God like our Founding Fathers. Divine guidance can save us years or even decades in all
of our nation's goals (JRE Link, 2019-0117 (Thu), COM-STR2).

America—Be thou a praying nation. Greater and greater blessings from heaven above
will be bestowed upon thee.

Use your daily prayers to lift yourself, to lift your family, and to lift the nation. God will
act upon those prayers (JRE Link, 2020-0814 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Father in Heaven, our nation needs help. We humbly ask Thee for assistance in making
America a strong and prosperous country forever.

Fortunately, there is God to lift our country and sustain her over time with His
unrelenting love.

The Spirit of God hovers over the nation, ready to fill our hearts (JRE Link, 2020-0911 (Fri), COM-STR2).

The Spirit of God teaches everything. A better world is the result (JRE Link, 2020-0911 (Fri), COM-STR2).

The Spirit of God helps us to see how things on earth fit together... how things in society
are supposed to work.

The ways of God are not always known to man, but a righteous people will discover His
purposes in due course and benefit greatly therefrom (JRE Link, 2020-0911 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Who knows? God knows. All of the important questions of mankind do have answers (JRE Link, 2022-0217 (Wed), COM-STR2).

To work with the creator of this earth to improve society and achieve the ideal America is
a great blessing and the highest honor in life. This is the opportunity we all have (JRE Link, 2021-1221 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Sometimes it takes miracles of God to get important things done in the nation. So, we
need faith and miracles, too, to be a successful and a happy people.

Miracles take up the cause of God in society, helping us draw closer to Him and feel His
love (JRE Link, 2020-0118 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Miracles of God increase momentum, building upon and accelerating all the great things
science can do for us.

Be men and women of science, but also men and women of faith (JRE Link, 2018-0529 (Tue), COM-STR2).

As science learns more about faith, belief in God throughout the world will grow and
grow (JRE Link, 2018-1130 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Science needs to follow God's lead, not try to counsel Him (JRE Link, 2021-0503 (Mon), COM-STR2).

You're asking me to trust in science. I'm asking you to trust in God, and then through
faith, science can make faster progress toward humanity's goals, seeing the world around us, and
the universe, like never before.

"Well... I AM." Science, please pay attention.

"I'm the adult in the room," says the Lord.

"Hearken unto me," says Truth, says God.

America should listen, and the world should listen (JRE Link, 2021-0820 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Our Founding Fathers listened as they established America. Abraham Lincoln listened as
he helped lead us towards a much greater America.

Science listens, but only with one ear. Her ear of faith in God goes largely ignored
because of unbelief.

On the front page, what does the world read? The problems plaguing mankind, not the
pleasing word of God (JRE Link, 2022-0423 (Sat), COM-STR2).

What happened during the Covid-19 pandemic? We were made more humble before God
and grew in faith (JRE Link, 2021-0503 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Faith is required to change the world (JRE Link, 2018-0524 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

Incremental change is good. Dramatic change is better. America and the world need
dramatic change.

We have big mountains to move in society. We need the power of heaven to help us
move them.

We have a great political divide. We need the power of heaven to help bring us together.

Come forth from all of the cities and towns and build a strong and unified country (JRE Link, 2017-0929 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Keep chiseling away at this beautiful sculpture of America created by God in 1776 (JRE Link, 2017-0708 (Sat), COM-STR2).