Using Zoom technology has been inspirational for me. In an instant each participant in the gallery view can shift their perspective from an interior monologue to the point of view of an omniscient observer. For participants there is an awareness of seeing ourselves as others see us in an evolving dialogue. The simultaneous perspective Zoom allows has metaphorical significance. It visually confirms for us that we are in a conversation that evolves as we talk to one another.
This is not unlike the power of frame shifting achieved with zoom lenses in photography. Zoom lenses have long permitted us, with the flick of the wrist, to shift from a close up, to a group shot, to a wide angle perspective. The framing capability of the camera lens reminds us of the ever-enlarging perspective on the context in which our behavior occurs. Achieving an expanded perspective is a worthy goal. In an era where systemic causation is at work in climate change, racism, inequality and pandemics, achieving that perspective is critical for coping with them. It is a vivid reminder of the context in which we make our choices.
In “closeup” frames, tactical paradigms direct moves, maneuvers and next steps. In “group shot” frames, strategic paradigms such as scoring, winning, defeating, blocking, and containing are in play. In “wide angle” frames, policy paradigms implement the rule of law, safety nets, national defense, compensatory justice, and civil liberties. Paradigms can structure a presentation, guide a process, or point to facts and circumstances in the external world.
A “zoom mind” has framing flexibility that can move easily from one frame to another with its own paradigmatic guidance. Having a zoom mind may be essential to our understanding of ourselves in the world and the interior dynamics of our behavior. The well-trained zoom mind operates like the zoom lens of a fine camera shifting frames and offering a great depth of field. A well-trained zoom mind has a greater probability of understanding a total picture of scenes in which our behavior occurs and gives us insight on how to restructure and moderate the impacts of our choices. A zoom mind equips us to anticipate and expose risk.
"New Camera" by Skrewtape is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0