Skip to main content

ERROR: 1234 human nature


As someone who has made a career of utilizing and mastering multiple software programs, I have a great deal of experience with their flaws.  Like software, humans are imperfect.  Many intriguing analogies may be drawn between the two.

When software does not deliver the expected result, it is referred to as a ‘bug’.   Some people continue to push the button on the program, hoping that the problem with disappear.  That frustrated persistence often causes the software to get stuck in a loop – locking up the computer and resulting in a complete systems crash.  Experienced computer Users know to turn off and restart their machine first, in case it is a strange anomaly that disappears when the computer is at rest.  This is called a ‘reboot’. Once a bug proves to be persistent, it must be further tested to determine the severity and impact of the issue. 

If a positive result is possible through an alternate existing feature it is called a ‘workaround’.    If the bug is considered severe and a workaround is not sufficient, often reprogramming by software specialists is required to offer a permanent fix to the issue.  Throughout this process, Users that depend on the software programs are often frustrated and disappointed in their software. 
Human beings are similar to software, in our attempts to work correctly and
our reactions to our own flaws or those in others.

When an unpleasant event occurs in our life, we may panic and continue to push – in hopes the negative reaction goes away.  Often poking at a problem when we are in a high emotional state causes the issue to magnify to a state that appears beyond repair.  Those who apply logic to a problem often choose to reboot – sleep on it and see if the situation is better in the morning. If that is not the case, we begin our analysis. We must determine if it a small issue that we can work through easily, or something impactful that must be addressed more aggressively with behavioral reprogramming with the help of an expert in human behavior. 

If our flaws are persistent and impact others, we often get stuck in an emotional loop that results in negative self-talk, more destructive behavior and negative reactions from those around us. If we try to set our emotional reaction aside and look at our problems with logic, then apply defined resolution steps, as with software, we have a greater chance of a positive outcome.

I have made many mistakes in my own life and witnessed the same in others I care about.  I have never thrown away a software program that had good features and resources committed to improvement.  The same is true of humans.  If we are self-aware, have a genuine desire to improve and take positive steps in that direction, we get an opportunity to reboot, work-around issues and correct the problems in our lives.  If we are surrounded by people who are empathetic, we have a chance to repair relationships and build better and stronger human natures. 

Transaction successful!!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It Only Takes One

My son's daycare had five amazing, 8-foot sunflowers growing in their garden this summer.  My own sunflowers didn't do very well so we asked if we could have some of the seeds from daycare to plant in our garden next summer.  Shawna began to harvest the seeds from the faces of the sunflowers.  She took some home with her and a creature destroyed most of them - only a few remaining in their shells.  She returned to daycare to learn that the heads of the remaining sunflowers had been stolen right off their stalks in the yard of the daycare.  The ladies were upset and disappointed that they might not be able to carry on the tradition of their sunflowers. Cornell Sunflower - see the attempt at taping the stem ... When my husband got home from work today he told me their story and asked,"hey - do you have any more of those books with the 'Cornell Sunflower' story?"  A story I wrote was published by 'Chicken Soup' and the similarities to th...
1 comment
Read more

Elvis the Cat

Elvis the cat went missing last Thursday night.   For 14 years Elvis the Cat lived with me indoors. He was afraid of the outside.   Due to kidney disease, he has been living on borrowed time but was still vibrant, fat and happy.   Lately, he seemed desperate to get outside.   I had been warned he might run away to die.      I searched for two days and nights, was sad, and began to look back …. We met at a farm in 1999.   He was undernourished, with mites and fleas.   I was embarking on a new, independent life.   We knew instantly that we belonged to each other.   I nursed him back to life – physically, and he nourished my spirit.   I didn’t hear him meow for the first few years of his life.   I always thought it was because I saw to his every need before he knew he had it.   At night, he would sleep curled in my arms.   If he heard a noise, he would perch on the end of my bed between me and a potenti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cornell Community Soup

“Cornell Community Soup” is more than just a metaphor for the melting pot of cultures, religions, beliefs and politics we embody.  The Village of Cornell is nestled in the eastern boarder of Markham, Ontario, surrounded by sister villages that continue the tradition of service and support throughout the community.  I have lived on my block in Cornell for 16 years.  Bigger houses with lower prices from the north continue to tempt, yet the warm hug of this community always keeps us home.  In anticipation of another exciting Blue Jay’s post season game, a pot of turkey soup is simmering on our stove.  Turkey from the Markham Butcher , and carrots and garlic from Reesor Farm .  Both local small business run by families who suffered losses this month.  The Markham Butcher and his wife lost their precious baby son earlier this month.  An unfathomable tragedy.  Reesor Farm was   targeted by trespassers and looters  on Thanksgiving Mon...
Post a Comment
Read more