Daniel Kahneman, the Nobel prize-winning psychologist, notes that people too often act "as if what they see is all there is." This qualifier reminds us to replace assumptions with questions rather than accepting behavior at face value.
Explorers as Investigators
Explorers are not witnesses but investigators. Kahneman's work with Amos Tversky demonstrates that people apply reason and act, but these aren't necessarily linked or informed by all available information. Investigators work to fill these gaps.
Selective Focus
Our natural forward-facing focus creates blind spots. We use selective attention to navigate while engaged in thought—the more absorbed we are, the narrower our perception becomes. This means we often miss things in plain sight.
The Explorer's Club at Home
My father cultivated investigative thinking through weekly adventures during car rides. These included:
- Pattern-matching games (license plate games, identifying car makes and models)
- Distance estimation exercises
- Perspective-shifting activities
- Hypothesis construction and real-world testing
One memorable challenge involved staring at strangers until they noticed—exploring how people sense attention despite physical barriers.
The Lasting Impact
These "simple tricks" taught pattern recognition and critical thinking. My father rewarded questioning and offered multiple alternatives, preventing hasty conclusions. All five of his children continue practicing these framestretching skills independently.
The invitation stands: question your assumptions and share your discoveries rather than mindlessly accepting surface-level observations.
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