Random Thoughts --Fuzzy Logic

I do not like "Fuzzy Logic" in real life.

"Fuzzy logic" , defined in the terms of Artificial Intelligence Theory , allows subjects to belong to "Fuzzy sets". Which means that if the glass is half-empty or half-full, the glass is member of two groups which are actually contradictory -- "not empty" as well as "not full"

Which is all very well in theory.

What do you do with people who live in fuzzy logic? For people who don't answer a question with a simple "yes" or "no", but with a sort of answer that could be either -- or nothing connected to the matter at hand?

"Would you like to join us for lunch ?"

"Actually, I have a meeting with Mr.Bigshot X in the evening at 5 PM today, and I think he is....."

What does that mean? Is he too busy to join us for lunch?

"So, you wont be able to join us?"

"Actually, when I got up this morning , Ms.Attractive from your group had called me...."

Well yes, she is there for lunch. So are you coming ??

"So, you would be joining us ?"

" Actually ...."

Can you tell me whether I have to make a reservation for you or not? Apparently not. At this point, I make the decision.

" OK, so I am not including you in the reservation. Sorry you cannot join us. Hey... I am getting another call... talk to you later, bye!". CUT.

The whole point of decision-making for these people seems to be to avoid taking a position that you can be tied down to. Putting your leg in both boats so that you can argue that you are in either... or neither... as the situation demands.

And my stand on that is not ambiguous. I don't justify it saying "Well, there are reasons...". I say that it's a waste of time to talk to people who cannot answer a straight question. Trying to help them decide is like trying to hold on to an eel.

Sometimes it is not irritation I feel but pity. So many people today don't seem to know what they want or what they feel.

Do you love your job? "Uhmmm..."
Do you want a change? "I guess ..."
Do you love your wife? "Yeah ... hmmm..."
Do you want me to kill you?"Well..."

Yes, that may be overstepping the line. But I think there may come a time when that might be the response to the question. Why live when you are not sure if you want to be living? Or if you are indifferent to it?

I do not say that there are no grey areas in life. Sometimes it is required to allow both possibilities to exist. But I feel that is heavily over-used -- as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility for a commitment. So that if one boat sinks, the other is still available. So that if both boats sink, you can argue that you were not actually in either one. And if one boat wins a race... well, you were a part of it too, right?

But the truth is this: You may get the credit of winning a few, be able to escape the consequences of losing a few. You may be safe most of the time and escape the worst when things are bad. You can compromise on taking a firm stance, you can live in the big grey cloud of fuzziness that is neither here nor there... But that safety too comes at a cost.

What would happen to our country in a war if the commander when asked if the battalion should attack, responds "Maybe"? When it's your life on the line and the jury responds to "Is he guilty?" with "Well, it could be either way..."?

In times of War or Peace, those who lead are not those who are designated with the authority to lead. The leaders are those who can take decisions, who can justify them, who can stand by them, who can take responsibility for them. They are those who can look at another straight in the eye and live by the conviction of what they believe in. They are those who have faith in God, and themselves and their decisions. They are the ones who can move mountains and change the world.

In the end, it's your life, and if you want to spend it on the cliff with a glider, not able to make the decision to let go of the ground, that's the choice you make.

Have you seen the view from the mountaintop as you glide down? Oops, I am sorry you missed it :-) !