As I was pondering what to write about this month (or more aptly put, what to rant about…albeit randomly), a couple of things came to mind. I was in a discussion recently with a dear friend, debating some issue that we were divided on. I can’t even remember what the issue was, but what I do remember is being profoundly struck by the thought of how intellectually lazy my friend’s position was. He was basically regurgitating what he had heard somewhere else, without even thinking through the issue. We all have lots of different perspectives on things and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, if we all thought exactly the same on everything, it would be a pretty boring world. A little healthy disagreement is a key component of our democratic values. It makes the engine go. However, you need to understand what you believe and why you believe it and be able to share that with others. Think!What do I mean by being intellectually lazy? Don’t just read or listen to someone else’s position and “re-pontificate” that. Process what they shared with you, do a little research, some reflection, chase it all with a little single malt and a Partagas, and arrive at your own conclusions. If your perspective matches theirs, then all the mo’ better. Think for yourself. Think out of the box. Just because the Post Dispatch, the Chicago Tribune, or KMOX says it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s so. Everybody has their personal “operating software” and filters information through that. We have our agenda, our spin, our angle, if you will. There is nothing wrong with that as long as we stay true to ourselves. Some of the most innovative ideas driving change have come from thinking out of the box. The Paradox!
Case in point – our club is a proponent of catch and release fishing. I totally support this position, especially for wild fish. However, we have a very interesting predicament out west regarding the Wild Pacific Salmon. Purchasing and eating Wild Pacific Salmon instead of Atlantic Salmon may very well save the fish. Why? There is a need to create an “economic value” for the fish. An influx of farm raised Atlantic Salmon has wreaked havoc on the wild fish. The fish that escape compete with wild salmon and steelhead and the fish farms spread disease and parasites among other things. Whether you like it or not, in a land where free enterprise and capitalism rule, money talks and everything else walks. So, to save these wonderful fish, we need to eat them. By choosing to do this, we can ensure that we will have plentiful wild salmon runs in the future. Economic viability drives the dollars to the protection of this species. Trout Unlimited has backed this initiative and if you really think about it, this makes complete sense. By supporting the effort with your own pocketbook, you can drive incentive for the government to make a good decision. If you are interested in this issue, see the Winter 2007 Issue of Trout (TU’s magazine).
While I am on thinking, I have one more thing for you to think about. We are not going to allow “stinkin’ thinkin’” around here. If you have an idea to improve things, get involved. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Take a stand. Do something to change things. Quit your belly-aching and take action. All talk…no action. Does that sound like anybody that you know? Don’t be one of them. Are you a shaker or a faker? You think about that. TL
