The Sunday Stoic: On the 5 types of incoming information

In today's digital world, we're inundated with emails, texts, and myriad other sources of information. This "information overload" can make it challenging to find what's important or trustworthy and what's not. Some information is easily digestible, while other bits require some serious detective work to make sense of. For example, even finding which news outlet to trust has become increasingly difficult to answer. By understanding the various types of incoming and outgoing information, we can better navigate competing narratives. So, let's take a moment to learn how to effectively give and receive information.

Empirical evidence is the basis of the scientific method. Called "anubhav-siddh" in Sanskrit, it means using numerical, verifiable, and reproducible data to reach conclusions. For example, if you've worked with Jack on four different projects and he's always been collaborative, then you can tell others that he will be great in the fifth project. You see; with evidence, past performance is a good predictor of future performance. However, people can behave differently around different groups or circumstances. So, while Jack is a great collaborator for you, he may not jive the same way with others. Therefore, trust the numbers, but also be aware that they are your numbers till you have compared them with others.

Moving on to inference, i.e., making educated guesses by connecting the dots based on what you know. It comes from Latin, "inferre," and Sanskrit equivalent is "anumāna." For instance, think about great leaders—they're usually great communicators. Take Jai, for example, a leader who really connects with his supporters. Others might tell you that Jai's will be a great leader because he is articulate. But hold on, correlation is not always causation. Jai's ability to connect might just be his PR team's magic. So, while branding, persona, or image can be a starting point, it's essential to not jump to hasty conclusions.

Analogies are like your trusty sidekick when it comes to simplifying complex ideas. The Greeks called it "analogia," and in Sanskrit, it's "upamāna." Imagine Chitra, your team coordinator. Newcomers might wonder what Chitra contributes to their daily tasks. But if you compare Chitra's role to that of an air traffic controller, ensuring tasks reach the right person at the right time, suddenly everyone gets it. Analogies are a handy tool for explaining ideas efficiently. However, finding the perfect comparison can sometimes be challenging.

Let's learn deduction—all about retracing steps, stemming from the Latin "deducere," meaning "to lead away" or "to derive." In Sanskrit, it's "anupalabdhi." Deduction involves starting with a general rule and drawing conclusions. Imagine this: You know computer engineers are logical, and Jack's cousin Joe is an engineer. So, you might assume Joe is methodical, even without meeting him. But here's the catch—while deductions provide a starting point, they don't always cover all possibilities. Consider roses; just because you've seen red ones doesn't mean all roses are red. They come in white, yellow, and blue too.

Let's wrap up with Abhāva, a Sanskrit concept denoting absence or non-existence. This filter is quite intriguing and interesting. Imagine this: You're considering collaborating with Jorge, a renowned international expert. Despite his impressive reputation, upon closer examination, you notice some gaps. For instance, his peers give only modest recognition to his work, and previous collaborators mention missed deadlines. You pause to reflect. Thus, recognizing what's missing can be as crucial as acknowledging what's visible.

In closing, it's worth noting that not all information carries the same weight. As you go through emails, news articles, and conversations, consider the type of information being sent your way. Recognizing these differences can help you communicate using empirical evidence for clarity, deduction for problem-solving, analogies for making connections, and identifying what's missing to uncover hidden details. These distinctions may aid in filtering through the noise to find the signal. As Stoic Epictetus (501-135 CE) wrote, "We are not affected by events, but by the view we take of them." I hope that these insights help with forming your views in the week ahead.

The views expressed in this essay are solely mine and do not represent those of any individuals, employers, or organizations with which I may be associated. While I'm not an expert on Stoicism, I spend time studying it to think more critically. I'm not a professional writer, so I might have used online tools to illustrate ideas and make some parts clearer. My goal is to communicate ideas, not impress. If you have any thoughts on how Stoicism and daily life could work together, please share through LinkedIn messaging. If you found this essay helpful, feel free to "repost" or send the link to others.