This is the first in at least a two part series of my analogies of what humans are like (as if we didn't already know). It's at least two parts, because that is how many ideas I have floating around in my cerebral soup right now. If one of my two neurons fires between now and when I get finished with the first two, who knows something else might get spawned.
From Wikipedia: Analogue electronics (or analog in American English) are electronic systems with a continuously variable signal, in contrast to digital electronics where signals usually take only two different levels.
When you read the definition did anything jump out at you? It did me. As much as my wife would like to think I can turn on and off my emotions like a robot, I can not. See, we humans are analogue creatures. We are constantly receiving a continuous variable signal. Digital circuits are On or Off. Of course, with today's technology we've made digital circuits mimic analogue circuits, think old school radio knobs vs. pushing the button to turn up your MP3 player's volume. The problem and it can be a big problem, just ask Toyota, is that with digital circuits sometimes they don't respond the way we want them to. They forget their programming and there's no graduation, it reverts back to On or Off.
Human interactions involve a huge set of variables or input. We are constantly taking in data. Sometimes it great, kind, loving words from our kids and sometimes it's negative self talk or our boss ripping our head off.
So, what's my point? Well it's simply this: we are analogue; we have an infinite number of thoughts and potential reactions for any given situation. The next time you're in a conversation or discussion and don't get the reaction you thought or wanted remember that it's not all or nothing. Maybe the person didn't understand something or maybe they had a bad day. It may have nothing to do with anything that was said. If we'll all just give each other an extra dose of grace my guess is that we'll have less misunderstanding and hurt feelings and more fruitful relationships.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know your thoughts.
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