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The Big Rethink
Beware Of The Hidden Fool Inside You
Stripping away the bias that clouds our thinking
You’ve heard it said, if you don’t know what you’re talking about, it’s better to keep your mouth shut.
Some learn the hard way.
At dusk, I pull into the parking lot at a live music club along the Willamette River in downtown Portland. It’s a dingy place with moss-stained walls and peeling paint. It’s raining. I hear the muffled boom-boom-boom of music playing from inside. I duck under my jacket and head for the front door.
After my eyes adjust to the dim, smoky ambiance, I see Marvin across the room. He waves me over to his table. Over the loud music, Marvin introduces me to everyone, including Olivia.
Skeptical of me — a white guy — Cedric leans back in his chair. He wears a fedora on his head and hangs a cigarette from his mouth, looking noirish, even a little gangsta. He’s the keyboardist, and he never smiles.
‘Famous,’ Marvin’s assistant, is shamelessly ingratiating himself to everyone, overselling any value he might have. Then, finally, he asks if I need anything.
On cue, Marvin, who is sipping on a Grand Marnier while lubricating the conversation, orders me the same before I can respond. I…
