"The Metacognition Alternative" is article number 4 in the Abbreviated Mind series by Aberjhani. (Digital artwork by the author for Postered Poetics.)
The opposite of an abbreviated mind is a metacognitive empowered consciousness, or MEC. The words metacognitive and consciousness as they are paired here might strike some as close to synonymous and therefore nearly redundant. The important difference between the two within this context is the potential passivity that may be associated with the fluid qualities of an undirected consciousness that is not actively engaged in its own reinforcement.
The modern person who ignores the metacognition alternative by neglecting to fortify his or her capacities for informed responsiveness––as with life-affirming values, ethics-centered convictions, knowledge of self, and awareness of the changing contemporary world-- is more likely to fall prey to rhetoric based on xenophobic hatred or megalomaniacal delusions. Or: to general emotional instability susceptible to the deeper forms of depression and to self-destruction.
The modern person who ignores the metacognition alternative by neglecting to fortify his or her capacities for informed responsiveness––as with life-affirming values, ethics-centered convictions, knowledge of self, and awareness of the changing contemporary world-- is more likely to fall prey to rhetoric based on xenophobic hatred or megalomaniacal delusions. Or: to general emotional instability susceptible to the deeper forms of depression and to self-destruction.
Towards a Definition of the Metacognition Alternative
This is not a matter of wielding superhero-like telepathic or telekinetic abilities. Consciousness empowered by enhanced metacognition may be defined as a developed or natural capacity for assessing the complex variables of your particular era and environment––as well as your own place and adopted function within them. These variables in the 21st century would include factors like the previously-noted shifting demographics, evolving economic trends, and cultural confluences on levels ranging from the personal to the global.
The capacity to make such an assessment enables a person to consider, act on, or respond to issues that impact his or her life without with minimal distortions caused by fear or incomprehension. To take action or not to take action in the face of nearly-overwhelming change does not become a question but an option based on informed mindfulness.
How an abbreviated mind or MEC is most likely to manifest in terms of particular actions depends on the individual in question. It does not take long to determine whether an abbreviated mind or a metacognitive empowered one is at work behind the most dramatic headlines read in a newspaper or on the internet.
The capacity to make such an assessment enables a person to consider, act on, or respond to issues that impact his or her life without with minimal distortions caused by fear or incomprehension. To take action or not to take action in the face of nearly-overwhelming change does not become a question but an option based on informed mindfulness.
How an abbreviated mind or MEC is most likely to manifest in terms of particular actions depends on the individual in question. It does not take long to determine whether an abbreviated mind or a metacognitive empowered one is at work behind the most dramatic headlines read in a newspaper or on the internet.
The documented activities of an abbreviated mind will most likely cause you to groan with pain or wince from embarrassment. The reported undertakings of an MEC may very well prompt a moment of awed admiration, friendly envy, or smiling approval.
The number and types of disadvantages of approaching life with an abbreviated mind compared to the advantages of engaging it with metacognitive empowerment may vary from individual to individual. Below are two lists featuring five potential outcomes based on each type. These should be read as one set of examples rather than as definitive conclusive attributes:
The number and types of disadvantages of approaching life with an abbreviated mind compared to the advantages of engaging it with metacognitive empowerment may vary from individual to individual. Below are two lists featuring five potential outcomes based on each type. These should be read as one set of examples rather than as definitive conclusive attributes:
5 Disadvantages of Sustaining an Abbreviated Mind
- Severely reduced attention span.
- Fragmented understanding of people and events.
- Diluted appreciated of real-time experiences.
- Failure to respect the culture and values of those unlike oneself.
- Failure to understand or value the uniqueness of your own being.
5 Advantages of Cultivating Metacognitive Empowered Consciousness
- Provide a more complete approach to problem-solving.
- Adapt more comfortably to expected or unexpected change.
- Create opportunities rather than chaos when confronting diversity.
- Exercise balanced responses to either failure or success.
- Experience ordinary events with a more fulfilling sense of enjoyment.
As you can see, there is room for flexibility, expansion, and/or contraction in both sets of examples when it comes to implementing the idea of an abbreviated mind versus metacognitive empowered consciousness.
The concept of metacognitive empowerment is not new. It is, however, too often neglected where everyday living in an increasingly globalized highly-technologized world is concerned.
For more discussions of the costs of neglecting to develop a metacognitive empowered consciousness please check out future installments of this blog and look for news of the planned book title, The Boy with the Guerrilla Decontextualized Eyes.
NEXT: Summer 2016 Update.
Aberjhani
© Bright Skylark Literary Productions
May 2016
For more discussions of the costs of neglecting to develop a metacognitive empowered consciousness please check out future installments of this blog and look for news of the planned book title, The Boy with the Guerrilla Decontextualized Eyes.
NEXT: Summer 2016 Update.
Aberjhani
© Bright Skylark Literary Productions
May 2016
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