Separate Signal From Noise!

Our lives are increasingly bombarded with unfiltered information (noise) from our busy multimedia environment. Unfortunately, our ancient  brains only actively process about 2% of this incoming information; “dial-up speed in a broad-band world.” Despite this limit, our amazing brains learn continuously, whether we want them to or not. We are always on input at the subconscious level!  Subliminal exposure is an open channel for”unfiltered learning” of ideas and techniques – no “firewall” here.

This “implicit learning,” can easily compromise our carefully created habits and trusted knowlege. Daily environmental exposure (noise) pollutes our brains with unintended and dangerous “alternate truths.” Every pilot (and especially educators) must actively and continuously sort out true signals from noise through honest reflection and analysis. Otherwise, you have the whiteboard of your most valuable truths and skills overwritten with graffiti.

“Cultural contamination” with the latest social media meme – monetized and spread by “influencers” – is almost a comical illustration of how gullible we are as humans. We latch onto the latest clever idea and these have a power of their own to infect less reflective minds. In aviation, bad information and techniques can get you dead quick. Analyzing and coding the real truth—sorting signal from noise—is essential for safety.

The scientific method of verification is a proven tool for analysis and filtering truth. Testing and honest assessment purge the noise. This requires continuous replay, reflection and analysis. And as educators, we must be especially careful to transmit only valid techniques; we are the “aviation influencers.”  Pilots live or die based on the hard, unforgiving laws of nature – “Gravity works!”  As a DPE I hear crazy ideas daily: “A plane cannot stall with the nose below the horizon” (from a private pilot applicant). And worse yet “My flight instructor told me that.” We need to validate our information carefully with constant reflective analysis.

What’s dangerous is not what you don’t know, its what you ‘know’ that ain’t so”

In a recent blog on training for the initial CFI, the recommended starting point is introspection and analysis of everything you have been learned in aviation: “Step one is reflecting on what you have been taught – knowledge and skills – and comparing it to the actual FAA guidance of trusted/vetted information.” Then as pilots and educators, we must continue to test our knowledge and techniques purging errors and protecting our databank of trusted facts.. This requires honesty, humility and courage. It is essential to remember and accept that we can always be wrong. Approach and suspiciously examine every new “revelation or discovery.”

All the while the world is turning to noise
Oh, the more that it’s surrounding us
The more that it destroys
Turn up the signal – wipe out the noise!

Peter Gabriel, Signal to Noise. 1995

Maintain an Active “BS Detector!”

The human biological system maintains a filter that protects the “self” from the “other” with a fascinating system called the Major Histocompatibility Complex. Every protein in your body is uniquely coded to identify “this is me” and automatically reject “the invader.” (This is why transplanted organs are attacked by our immune system without supression drugs).  We need to develop and maintain a similar active filter on an intellectual level; a “BS detector” to analyze and evaluate the incoming information.

Carl Sagan more politely called this essential aptitude the “Baloney Detector,” as a critical component of everyone living in the modern society. Much of what passes for “excellence and expertise,” especially on the internet, is true garbage from beginners pretending to be gods. We all have to protect our true and safe tome of aviation wisdom from the incoming tide of internet crap.

The Power of “Social Proofing”

In our modern world,  our “BS filter” is often compromised by“social proofing.“ These are the common testimonials and Yelp reviews attached to products for sale on the internet. Just like “influencers” these lower our defenses and permit easier acceptance of attractive (but usually false) information. Social proofing relies on our gullibility;”If so and so said it it must be true.” Or the “Bandwagon Fallacy:” Judging truth by the number of people who believe it (e.g. how popular is their YouTube Channel). Be very careful who you trust!  CFIs are our modern “aviation influencers” and its important to remember, even they sometimes get it wrong. Otherwise, learners accept, unfiltered, the information a trusted CFI provides with no question. As CFIs, we must be careful to be provide only  accurate, tested, information. That is why our primary source should always be the FAA Handbooks.

come celebrate

with me that everyday

something has tried to kill me

and has failed. Lucille Clifton