Are We Stuck in a Box?

Rethinking Mental Models and Unexplained Possibilities

By Tye Glover

1. The Power and Peril of Mental Models

What if the way we think about the world limits what we allow ourselves to see?

Mental models are frameworks shaped by our experiences, training, beliefs, and cultural narratives—ranging from religious teachings to logical paradigms. While these models help us navigate complexity, they also impose limitations, rejecting ideas that don’t align with our assumptions.

This rigidity creates self-imposed walls within our consciousness, restricting us from exploring possibilities beyond accepted truths. In many ways, these mental constructs safeguard comfort but inhibit curiosity and progress.

2. Case Study: The Mystery of "Fast Movers"

Ponder this with an open mind. Among today’s most compelling mysteries are the so-called “Fast Movers”—unidentified craft observed by Navy and Air Force personnel. Officially referred to as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) or USOs (Unidentified Submerged Objects), these craft exhibit capabilities far beyond human technology.

For example, some of these objects, as reported by military sources, traverse oceans at speeds exceeding 695 knots, far outpacing the fastest submarines at 35 knots. Reports even describe them seamlessly transitioning between air and water without any speed reduction, demonstrating mastery over the elements they traverse. Watch a fascinating video on Fast Movers here.

Despite credible accounts and acknowledgment by the military, these phenomena are routinely dismissed—not because of a lack of evidence, but because they challenge the boundaries of current technological and scientific understanding. This dismissal reflects the stranglehold of entrenched mental models, which resist phenomena that don’t fit neatly into established frameworks.

If this skepticism resonates with you, it’s worth asking: Are you also bound by mental models that stifle your ability to see beyond the familiar?

3. How Mental Models Suppress New Ideas

Mental models not only shape our understanding of the world but also dictate what we allow ourselves to believe.

Take Neil deGrasse Tyson, a respected scientist who acknowledges the vastness of the universe and the likelihood of extraterrestrial life. Yet, he dismisses the idea that intelligent aliens have visited Earth. His skepticism—logical at first glance—appears inconsistent when measured against the incomprehensible scale and age of the universe.

This illustrates how even brilliant minds can become constrained by their own mental models, perpetuating dismissive attitudes that suppress curiosity and exploration.

4. The Larger Implications: Are We Missing the Bigger Picture?

The observable universe spans 93 billion light-years and contains an estimated 2 trillion galaxies. Each galaxy houses billions, even trillions, of stars, many of which are older than our Sun. These ancient stars are surrounded by planets in habitable zones, offering staggering potential for life.

Yet dismissive attitudes, such as Tyson’s, limit our collective imagination. By stifling curiosity, these mental models not only block the exploration of possibilities but also prevent transformative discoveries.

Consider this analogy: Dipping a teacup into the ocean offers only a minuscule glimpse of its vastness. Similarly, our understanding of the universe is an infinitesimal fraction of what exists. Insisting that we already know what is or isn’t possible closes the door on questions we haven’t yet learned to ask.

History is filled with breakthroughs once deemed impossible:

• Human flight was considered fantasy until the Wright brothers proved otherwise.
• Quantum mechanics challenged classical physics and revolutionized technology.
• Lost civilizations, such as those in South America, are still being rediscovered, reframing our understanding of early human capabilities.

Western science often claims omnipotence, only to revise its stance when faced with new evidence. Yet, like Charlie Brown trusting Lucy with the football, we repeatedly erect new walls around the next set of possibilities.

Conclusion: Rethinking the Obstacle

To see beyond our current limitations, we must challenge the mental models that confine us. Denying the unexplained isn’t just dismissive—it may block the path to deeper understanding.

By loosening the constraints of our mental frameworks, we can embrace the extraordinary. True innovation requires us to replace obstacles with questions, transforming the unknown into a frontier of discovery. Only by tearing down the walls of our own making can we uncover the truths that lie beyond.

If you're ready to challenge the limits of your mental models and explore the unexplored, let's start a conversation. Together, we can uncover new possibilities and reshape the way you see the world.

Contact me today to begin your journey beyond the box! 📧 Email: tyeglover@thinkdifferentnation.com 🌐 Visit: www.thinkdifferentnation.com 📅 Schedule: Book a Call