Being a Public Defender

I think its fitting that the first real post is about defending ideas (no offense UVa sports teams...big ups though for almost beating Duke), since that's what I want to avoid most in this blog. Backing up statements with evidence is fine, the problem comes when we think our thoughts are perfect. Charlie Munger (co-founder of Berkshire Hathaway) sums it up in a quote from his 1995 Harvard University speech:

The human mind is a lot like the human egg, and the human egg has a shut off device. When one sperm goes in, it shuts down so the next one can't get in. The human mind has a big tendency to do the same.

What he calls having an ideologically closed mind, I call being a public defender. Each time we make our conclusions public, we're gradually convincing ourselves that its the truth. We are "pounding them into our own heads," in the process making them our own. Pretty soon, when others challenge them, its like they're challenging the truth, and it becomes our responsibility to set them straight. Defense need not involve shouting, just a need to prove yourself right and the other person wrong.

All I am saying is that we should always avoid becoming a public defender. We should have opinions, but only with an accompanying open mind. Otherwise, whats the point in having the discussion?! Anytime I write, I urge myself never to become the defender of my ideas, otherwise, I'll never get to the truth.

Virginia over Miami

It took all 40 minutes, but Virginia beat Miami 52-51 in 'Hooville. What I'm really impressed with, more than our 12 game winning streak, are the high-flyers (Darion Atkins & Akil Mitchell) and finesse plays that I've been seeing. The Cavaliers are starting to show some athleticism that hasn't been seen in a long time, which makes for some really entertaining basketball. Congrats.

Credit given to Yahoo! Sports for this photo.

New Year's Eve

My view at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia!! First time at an NFL stadium, and it was glorious.  Spent New Years Eve struggling to see a peach drop downtown, but overall, had a pretty good time. Also found out security in Atlanta is terrible, almost joined a parade and walked into the Georgia Dome eight hours before kickoff. Epic fail Atlanta PD.