Is this ashtray dirty?

 

 

 

 Do you think ashtray is dirty? When seeing the picture above, I believe you would think so. Now, the ashtray on my hand has been cleaned thoroughly. Therefore, baby can even lick on it. Actually ashtray, this thing is not necessary to be dirty. It is the “ash” or “cigarette butt”, which are dirty. However, when hearing about ashtray, you would also imagine that it is dirty, right?

In the other words referring to ashtray, the essence is the “ash”, which is dirty, but not the “ashtray”. Of course, the ashtray, which has been used and not yet been washed is dirty. However, what is actually dirty is also the “ash”, which is left inside the ashtray. We just commonly consider “ashtray” as a whole is dirty.

Furthermore, there is another problem. For the image of ashtray and also after seeing the picture above, would there be a condition or image that ashtray is always dirty in your mind? This mindset is very usual in our daily life. For example, if you think somebody is very “self-centered”, then no matter what kind of thing this person does, you might also think he/she is self-centered. Even if this person is doing thing good for others, you might also think he/she has any intention for doing so. This perception (思い込み) is very dangerous. As long as your thinking way is narrowed, you would be bounded in this only way to think all the matters. There is nothing absolutely correct in the world and we should have flexibility to think through it.

 

What is the shape of ashtray?

 

I mentioned perception (思い込み) is a terrible thing just now and at this moment, can you tell what is the shape of an ashtray? I believe lot of people would have an image immediately as the picture just shown. However, this picture is actually misleading you and aimed at giving you an impression that the usual ashtray is shaped like this. Then, what is the shape of an ashtray?

When I smoked, I always used the empty beer or cola can as ashtray. It is because the ash could be collected inside the empty can and the cigarette butt can also be put inside. Therefore, the empty can is also fine and in the other words, the essence of an ashtray is actually “the function of not letting the ash to be diffused anywhere”. Similarly, the ashtray is not dirty, while the ash inside the ashtray is dirty. This is the essence and the actual reason for what we said, “The ashtray is dirty”.

What I would like to say in this issue is that “Let’s find out the essence of thing”. Then, you would not be confused by the phenomenon. The problem-solving is aiming at finding out the essence of thing. As long as we are able to find this essence out, we can then solve the problem. The below is the characteristics of problem-handling type of person that I mentioned in last issue.

1. Often presuming or jumping to conclusions when dealing with matters

2. Solving a problem within the range of one’s knowledge and experience only

This is the type, which may not be able to find out the essence of ashtray.

 

When I think about problem solving, I would always recall a person who actually taught me about it. It is the president of a software company, which has around 40 staff. Problem solving skill gives a big impact into the business of software development. For an engineer who is not smart, he/she might need 1,000 codes for making a program, while for a programmer with problem solving skill, only 100 codes are needed for making a program. This is an industry which gives big difference in productivity obviously. Therefore, it is necessary to train our problem-solving skill up. For me, the one who actually supported this company for their hiring matter in 21 years before, I also aimed at having a high problem solving skill. This ashtray story is taught by this president. I feel sorry that he has passed away in fact, but I believe he would also have a wish to let me teach and share this knowledge overseas. Wish him rest in peace!