Wisdom is Following Your Own Advice.
I can’t remember where I heard this, but it struck me in a powerful manner. We all believe that we can lead better lives, and this is a very positive, humanistic message. It says that you already know what you need to do, that your internal monologue is correct. You are, after all, an expert in your own life.
Nobody knows you as well as you do. Sure, you have blind spots, you are subjective, but for the big things, you are probably right.
The problem often turns out to be that we do not do the things that we know that we need to do. Hence why Wisdom is following your own advice.
I have travelled extensively, and I have seen poverty in all its shapes, sizes, and typologies. I have seen lots of desperate poor people, but I have also seen lots of happy ones, which makes me wonder if how we define poverty is truly an accurate measure of the human condition. I think opportunity and direction is just as important, if not more important, than where someone is right now.
In various parts of Asia, I have met and seen lots of poor people who have an upward direction. They have a strong belief that tomorrow is going to be better than today, because today is better than yesterday.
In Afghanistan, this was not the case. People were not optimistic about the future since the Taliban takeover. Sure, some things had improved, which as a Westerner who finds the Taliban’s ideology completely distasteful, is a tough pill to swallow.
But I digress. I speak about poverty because I often wonder if someone who is selling ice in Cambodia has much more potential. And of course they do, they are simply a product of their environment and circumstances. But given the environment and circumstances, are there the seeds inside a Cambodian ice seller that could turn him or her into an expert in Nuclear energy?
Most likely! They have this wonderful thing, the human brain, with its capacity to learn. So in theory, they could overcome various hurdles, and learn everything there is to know about nuclear energy generation and become one of the foremost experts in the world, even without formal schooling. The information is out there in the internet. And if they did that, we could conceivably believe that they may have a better life. They would for sure have more money, and they may also get an enjoyment out of understanding something highly interesting.
However, the issue here is that they may not even be aware of this or other options. But if they did, then they could conceivably do it. The internet is this huge opportunity. Anything that we want to know, is out there waiting for us to know it.
And so even if we have just a high level understanding of what we need to do in our lives, that starting wisdom is enough to then take us into the journey. If we are stuck on one problem, we can always step back and tackle a smaller and more granular problem, that is easy to solve.
You want to become a homicide detective. How does one even start doing that? What are the requirements? I have no real idea, except that perhaps you may want to study certain subjects and apply to the police force. And so you are not equipment right now to become a homicide detective. But, you are equipped to do something much smaller. Take ten minutes, and do some research. Heck, even ask ChatGPT:
- Obtain Education: Start with a high school diploma or GED. Many aspiring detectives go further by earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, or a related field. Higher education can provide a competitive edge and is increasingly preferred by many law enforcement agencies.
- Gain Law Enforcement Experience: Before becoming a detective, one must first become a police officer. This involves applying to a police department and undergoing their selection process, which typically includes written exams, physical agility tests, medical examinations, psychological evaluations, and background checks.
- Attend Police Academy: Once accepted, candidates attend a police academy for training, which can last about 6 months. Training includes classroom instruction in state laws, criminal investigations, patrol procedures, firearms training, traffic control, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response.
- Work as a Police Officer: After graduating from the academy, recruits become sworn police officers. They start gaining experience on the job, usually starting with patrol duties. It’s essential to excel in these early roles, as performance, conduct, and demonstrated potential are critical for detectives’ selection.
- Develop Skills and Knowledge: While working as a police officer, it’s important to build skills critical for detectives, such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and investigative techniques. Volunteering for assignments that require investigative work can help.
- Seek Promotions and Opportunities: Becoming a detective often requires applying for the position when openings occur and may involve passing a written exam, an interview process, and a review of your work history as an officer. Promotions to detective positions are typically based on merit, experience, and sometimes seniority.
- Undergo Detective Training: Once promoted to a detective or investigator, additional specialized training is usually provided. This training focuses on crime scene management, interviewing techniques, case preparation, courtroom procedures, and specific areas of crime, such as homicide.
- Continuous Education and Specialization: Homicide detectives may further their expertise through specialized training courses, workshops, and certification programs related to homicide investigations. Continuous learning and staying updated with the latest investigative techniques and technologies are crucial.
- Networking and Professional Development: Joining professional associations, such as the International Association of Homicide Investigators, can provide networking opportunities, resources, and further training to enhance one’s skills and career prospects.
The path to becoming a homicide detective can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another and depends on the specific requirements and opportunities within a law enforcement agency. It’s a challenging and competitive career path that requires dedication, a strong moral compass, and a commitment to justice.
And there we go, we have a high-level multi-year timeline.
So if Wisdom is following our own advice, then it is also worth considering how to improve the quality of the advice that we give to ourselves. For this, I think a journal is invaluable. I have been writing almost daily for close to ten years, and it is incredible to read how I was thinking and the methods I was using to make decisions and weigh the pros and cons of different actions when I was 23 instead of 33.
I notice certain problems that I still have not managed to fully solve, and other things that now I would laugh at because it seems so easy, while back then it seemed so difficult.
