Embracing Uncertainty - Roundtable

In the podcast ‘Embracing Uncertainty’ it is proposed that Human beings are designed to hate uncertainty, often equating it with threat.  One solution to this is that we simplify reality using schemas – which are quick-and-dirty approximations of reality.  They work remarkably well, but also lead to systematic errors and biases. In this Roundtable there were many talking points: how will we adapt positively after all the uncertainty of the pandemic?; how do we recognise our own biases and how can we calmly deal with those of others?; the way that personality mediates our relative discomfort with uncertainty and issues of control; how do we open our minds in high-pressure situations which won’t admit of biases and errors?; metacognition or split consciousness and how we use it to edit our schemas; tolerance of ambiguity as a creative skill that can be cultivated; and teaching someone self-awareness and the link to developing equanimity.