The Danger of Imagination

Have you ever read a news story that left you with unanswered questions? It is human nature to want to know as much as possible about a person or event but often, in the rush to meet a deadline or beat the competition, the reporter is unable to fill in all the blanks.

Of course, other issues come into play as well. In a criminal case, for instance, providing too much information prematurely may hamper the investigation or divulging too much about an individual may put his or her life at risk or prejudice opinion about that person’s character. Then there are the concerns over libel and slander.

When information is lacking, it is tempting to fill in the gaps. That’s where imagination can get us into trouble. We can jump to some very wrong conclusions and commit serious errors in judgment when we try to determine the truth without having all the facts.

Examples include determining the ethnicity and/or character of a person based on an address, making an assumption about what went on at a party hosted by a certain type of group, what a particular political candidate stands for based on party endorsement or affiliation or prejudging someone’s work ethic based on their age, race, sex or ability to speak English.

While I usually endorse using imagination to enhance our lives, it is important to know when the use of imagination is acceptable. Imagining yourself on a beach, or at a park, concert, party or political convention (if that’s your thing) while you are sitting at home bored is perfectly fine. Identifying with one of the characters in the book you are reading or the movie you are watching is fun, especially if that person has super powers, is irresistible, caring, witty, charming and/or the epitome of a badass (in a good way).

 

I, at various times, have wanted to be (in random order) Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bruce Willis, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Antonio Banderas, Rowan Atkinson, even Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride. I have walked along with Bilbo Baggins through every page of The Hobbit, fought as a soldier in the Revolutionary and Civil wars and World Wars 1 and 2 and am currently imagining myself as Jean Valjean in the book (not the musical or the movie).

Yes, I have a very active imagination but I have only indulged my flights of fancy when they do not interfere with my work. That is another danger with imagination. It can both fire you and get you fired. Imagination used to help solve a problem at work is acceptable. Imagination that adversely affects your productivity is not.

If you long to be an author, writing the Great American Novel, you need your imagination firing on all cylinders. Just restrict your character assassinations to the pages of your novel or screenplay and not in your letter to the editor.

What are some cautions or dangers related to imagination that we should watch for? Share them in the comments below.