Sparked by the phrase "Selling The Problem", several folks have commented on the impulse of individuals and groups to bypass the process of defining the problem and leap head-first into the process of defining solutions. In this way, we human beings aim for the moon and hit the outhouse door! One of the symptoms of "Rushing To Judgement" [to coin a popular phrase these days] is the observable behavior of ordinarily intelligent people running around "putting out fires" and complaining that there is no time for problem analysis. The addiction to "putting out fires" [similar to the addiction to other stimulants] requires an intervention, to begin with. As part of Problem-Solving, I first teach & facilitate learning on how to tell the difference between a Symptom; An Opinion/Guess; A Position, a Problem and A Solution statement. Once we are all clear on the differences and all agree that there IS a difference between this and that, the learning group then agrees [with my urging] that I will interrupt the old process, i.e. leaping into solutions, guesses, positions, etc. before Nameing The Problem. I then interrupt with gusto! I use a big, old bicycle horn that can wake the dead. A few blasts from me and the process tends to gradually slow down: long enough for everyone to think twice: "is this a symptom or a [882 lines left ... full text available at <url:http://www.reference.com/cgi-bin/pn/go?choice=message&table=05_1997&mid=1403779&hilit=BRAIN+BRAINS+FEEDBACK> ] -------------------------------- Article-ID: 05_1997&1416510 Score: 78 Subject: Re: Question to ex-members about awareness and guilt