AVOIDING HERD MENTALITY
In an age that is given to political
correctness, it is rather tempting to follow the pack. That is, many of us have a tendency to buy in
to the opinions or dictates of the majority, as if GOD has not imparted any
unique wisdoms or capabilities within our own hearts and minds.
Nevertheless, it has been proven
over time that the majority is not always right. Had Joshua and Caleb ‘read’ the majority report, the Israelites
would been deprived of sufficient vision and courage to possess their promised land. (Numbers 13:1-3;17-33) While we do not advocate a spirit of
stubbornness or rebellion, it is wise to take a serious look at what Robert
Frost called, “The Road Less Traveled,” and to thereby avoid following the pack.
Consider the lack of wisdom in the
following viewpoints, that were once embraced by corporations and people who,
in hindsight, we think should have known better:
“I think there is a worldwide market
for maybe five computers.” – Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
“There is no reason anyone would
want a computer in their home.” – Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of
Digital Equipment Corp., 1977.
“The telephone has too many shortcomings
to be seriously considered as a means of communication. This device is inherently of no value to us.”
– An internal memo of Western Union, 1876.
“The concept is interesting and
well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C,’ the idea must be feasible.”
– A Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith’s paper
proposing reliable overnight delivery service.
Smith went on to found Federal Express.
“Who in the world wants to hear
actors talk?” – H. M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927.
“I’m just glad it’ll be Clark Gable
who’s falling on his face and not Gary Cooper.” – Gary Cooper on his decision
not to take the leading role in the movie classic, “Gone with the Wind.”
“We don’t like their sound, and
guitar music is on the way out.” – Decca Recording Company rejecting the
Beatles, 1962.
“Heavier-than-air flying machines
are impossible.” – Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895.
“So we went to Atari and said, ‘Hey,
we’ve got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do
you think about funding us? Or we’ll
give it to you. We just want to do it. Pay our salary, we’ll come and work for you.’ They said, ‘No.’ So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they
said, ‘Hey, we don’t need you. You
haven’t gotten through college yet.'” – Apple Computer founder, Steve Jobs, on
attempts to get Atari and H.P. interested in his personal computer.
“Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find
oil? You’re crazy!” – People who Edwin
L. Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil in 1859.
“Stocks have reached what looks like
a permanently high plateau.” – Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale
University, 1929.
“Everything that can be invented has
already been invented.” – Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of
Patents, 1899.
“X-rays will prove to be a hoax.”
Lord Kelvin, President of the Royal Society, 1893.
“It’s unworthy of the attention of
practical and scientific men.” – British Parliamentary Committee’s report on
Thomas Edison’s electric light bulb.
Totally fascinating, isn’t it? According to King Solomon, GOD is the giver
of “witty inventions.” (Proverbs 8:12)
So we will never get stuck in stinkin’ thinkin’ or become discouraged
about any of our plans, attempts, or failures of the past. We are and will be believers. We are and will be doers. We are and will be world-changers. We will never give up!
PERSEVERE.
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