Letter: Learning might be answer to out-of-control rhetoric
Recently I became aware of the word “Polymath” being used to describe: ‘a person with extraordinarily broad knowledge and expertise across a significant number of different subject areas.’ Polymaths are known to follow the “5-hour rule,” a concept promoted by entrepreneur Michael Simmons, where one dedicates 1 hour a day, 5 days a week to intentional learning. Warren Buffet, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates are three modern examples of this practice, as also were Benjamin Franklin and Leonardo DaVinci of former times.
One way to turn down the rhetoric in today’s America might be to employ the 5-hour rule into each of our lives, to wit: spending an hour a day learning more about issues and events before forming opinions and reacting to every little thing we hear or see. A more intelligent approach to life may alleviate such pandemics as road rage, loud and violent protests, and closed, illiterate minds. We must only stop, breathe, and learn more to find a better national conversation and better solutions to personal and community problems. I find the words and teachings of the Latter-day Saint General Conferences to be worthy of intentional study and learning and invite all to check them out.
Darrel R Thompson
Ogden