Pondering the Particularities of Precision

     Finally, I feel we have reached a point in this conversation to properly consider chaos and order within the realm of learning and ideas. Since this blog has thus far focused on uniting ideas, let's start there. When learning a skill or about an area of knowledge, precision is the underlying principal in play.

    It may help to revisit the overall learning process (see "Noticing Noticing: Learning to Learn" for a more complete explanation)

1. Oblivious
2. Noticing
3. Conceptually understanding
4. Internalizing (muscle memory)

5. Repeat 1-4 many times
6. Mastery.

     A good way to notice precision in action could be to consider a few masters in various trades. For example, some master painters can recreate a landscape so precisely, it looks like a photograph. To do this they must precisely paint each item, in the exact right position, while simultaneously and precisely applying perspective techniques and angles of light to create the effect of distance. If any part is slightly misplaced, even an unaware observer will think, "There's something just not right here..."

     To create a gourmet meal, master chefs must precisely cut and prepare many ingredients (each one a variable of its own.) Of course, the flavor must be precisely crafted and be accompanied by an alluring smell and texture. A great meal will have layers of preparation. That's not to mention appearance. For master chefs, precise presentation brings their craft to the next level of precision. All this must be done within a very specific window of time, or the food will be cold. Anyone who's worked at a restaurant can probably tell you what cooks think of cold food.

    Martial artists are another great example. People may work for years to receive their black belt. This surely must denote a certain level of precision, but there are still higher levels of precision to pursue. Let us consider two martial artists, one a 9th degree black belt and the other a black belt of the 10th degree, both in karate. For fun and competition, these two artists may perform a kata (a choreographed arrangement of punches, blocks and kicks.) To a group of people who know nothing about karate, myself included, we probably would not notice who did a better job or why. Maybe one kick was not quite high enough, or a punch snapped a little too slow, and with the elbow rolled down instead of sideways. An 11th degree black belt who was also watching would notice the extremely subtle ways that the 10th degree black belt was more precise than his less experienced counterpart. The rest of us would be left oblivious and in wonder.

                       
     This is where I would like to stop for today. Hopefully, this will help some to notice the importance of precision. It plays a role in everything we do including walking, talking, picking things up, setting them down, driving a car, caring for ourselves, sleeping and more. Later I will revisit the topic to see how noticing precision can help us in becoming more precise ourselves. Also, we will begin to apply the precision principal to group coordination. Thank you so much to anyone who's keeping up with me here. It is an honor and a pleasure to have your company. Until we meet again...