It is commonly known that one aspect of human trait is that we tend to either process information in the big picture approach or the detailed approach. A person who approaches things from the big picture tend to prefer to know the overall relationships before moving on into the detailed parts. A person who takes the detailed approach goes the other way, by looking into the detailed information before putting them up into a full picture.
Let's take a concrete example of this. Say, if we are to design a car from scratch. A big picture approach will think about the general specifications of the car first like what are the features wanted in the car. After having considered the general specifications, then the person moves on to design the detailed specifications to match the general specifications.
A detailed approach will first design the engine, the gear system, the braking system and so on, each in detail. Having perfected each parts, then the person combines the parts into a whole car.
Now, both approaches have their own pros and cons. And usually, people tend to have the ability to approach things from both perspectives. Let us examine one cons from each approach.
For the big picture approach, there is the risk of lacking the links to make things happen. Say, if the person keeps on to the general specifications of the car, the person may well totally forgot that without a detailed design of the parts, the person cannot complete this car to the said specifications.
For the detailed approach, the risk is in considering one or some of the detailed parts the whole picture, becoming a small [incomplete] picture. It wouldn't be good if you design a super engine and forgot about having the gear box, seats, stirring wheel and so on. You'll have totally missed the point.
Now that we've covered the overall idea (big picture approach), please allow me to go into a detail that stood out to me.
I believe that we are having a small picture pandemic. We were told to focus on one subject area and become the master of the subject area. We were told that we have to focus on the details of things to be successful. We were told that having an ambition to "save, protect, preserve the world" is not clear enough; we have to define whether we want to do it as a medical doctor or a lawyer or an engineer and so on. When we start to think and consider options in decision making, people tell us not to think too much; just focus on what you want to do. And so, many people got stuck in this small picture syndrome.
Say, we want to tackle climate change by working on carbon emission. Sounds like a great thing, right? But what is actually happening? They tell you to buy green points, plant a tree or do something to offset your carbon foot print. And some people happily followed. Yay, we fought against carbon emission! Or did we not? "Why not?" Some may argue, "At least we've done something!", "Every small effort will add up!"
A big picture approach will respond, "I didn't say what you've done is wrong. I'm just saying, it is NOT ENOUGH." The major carbon emissions do not come from household activities! By seeing the details of household contribution as the whole picture, one basically ruled out the overall industrial contribution which is something more urgent that we need to work on!
Another example will be that of genetically modified organisms (GMO), pesticide & herbicide use, use of dangerous chemicals in food processing or as additives. Most small picture syndrome sufferers were misled to believe that if they choose and eat organic, all will be good. How far is this from the truth! GMO pollen do and have contaminated farms out of the GMO fields. As long as GMO is allowed to be out in the open, the threat will be continuous and often hidden from the users. Pesticides & herbicides are so commonly used that they are present in many places that we do not expect them to be.
It is good to eat organic, to support organic farmers to continue their great efforts. However, to say that it is enough, is not acceptable.
I have seen this small picture syndrome often enough to lead me to believe that it is a pandemic. I hope I am wrong. And I hope this article can alert those who have not suffered this syndrome to be aware of it, as well that this may awaken those who were suffering from this syndrome.
Let me repeat again, it is ok to go from details out to the big picture or from the big picture zooming into the details. However, it is a problem when one thinks a detail is the whole picture.
Have a good week ahead, switching back and forth between the big picture and detailed approach.
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