Negative Information

In the scientific method and mathematical modelling - negative information is MOST important, because it indicates that the model needs correcting. Positive information tells you NOTHING - it just confirms your suspicions, (but yields no new truth). We give priority to negative information because only negative information indicates significant truth.

When building a model of any aspect of life, the negative information you discover carries the greatest statistical weight of "pointing-to-truth."

Only one repeatable example is necessary to invalidate an entire scientific theory, but even a million confirmations of the equation will not prove it absolutely true. Negative information is much more "valuable" than positive information.

Surprisingly, research seems to indicate that people make better decisions when they are angry, than when calm. When one is angry, they are no longer willing to believe the pleasant "half-truths" they tell themselves about the situation being examined. The anger helps the mind "cut through the crap" and get to the heart of the matter.

copyright (c) 2017

William Schaeffer