Have you heard of Gell Mann Amnesia?

I hadn't heard of this until yesterday.

But I think it helps illustrate an issue we face as we navigate the world today.

In 2002, Michael Crichton describes it as a phenomenon where a person reads a news article on a subject they know well, identifies significant errors or misunderstandings, yet continues to trust the same media outlet for information on other topics.

This the idea that we can read something we just know is wrong and then move onto something else from the same source potentially believing other things they report to be true, sometimes because they match our expectations.

I heard it described as something similar to "wet streets cause rain"*.

Why am I mentioning this?

The presenter in the video says "the deeper problem is that we are remarkably good at noticing the lies in the narrow corner of the world where we have direct knowledge. And we're remarkably bad at remembering when we turn the page what we just noticed."

If you want to navigate life well in this period of history I think it unfortunately right to be a little skeptical of the traditional sources of truth, news and information.

In the democratised media space we now live in, where media has thrown off all best practice, balance and process, you simply can't always trust what you read, what you see and what you hear.

I would encourage healthy skepticism.

I would encourage self ownership of study and the ensuing understanding it can bring.

As it has been said, the truth can set you free. The kicker is you need the truth!

Digging out truth for yourself today takes intentionality.

It takes considered analysis, sometimes creating deep anguish if the truth is not the truth you hoped to discover. But it is worth it, to discover truth and engage in freedom.

Can I encourage you today to think about your approach to discovering truth?

Yes it might make you uncomfortable for a time, but better some discomfort than potential deception.

Something to think about...

*Jeremy Boreing YouTube May 2026

Is Church Attendance Up?

I found this new data release interesting...

Trying to understand church attendance data from the last couple of decades is not a simple task, with a general lack of easily accessible data.

The general consensus was the average was under 100 people and this seems to back it up some stark conclusions you can possibly come to.

Some thoughts:

1. Regular church attendance was on a decline this century and covid increased the decline. Lock downs would obviously contribute to the stats even though churches did their best to measure "online" attendance.

2. It is encouraging to see growth since the low and also a little depressing to see how far attendance has decreased over the sample period. This data reflects the changing attendance patterns (less regular attendance and less people).

3. The Church has great potential with careful and considered planning for the future.

4. What is not shown here is the general aging issue many churches will need to face up to over the next decade. Just because a church has "good numbers" and financial position right now does not guarantee the same in a decade, especially if the average age is 50 years plus.

5. There is still a major demographic gap in young adults in most churches as the majority do not stay engaged post high school. This can be different in larger centres and larger church contexts, but the pattern still exists.

What do you think?

Original Article

200,000 Views - WOW!

 

Why this Song? ...I Won't Let You Go

Over the last few years a few songs have come into my life, flowed into ears and ultimately gotten into my heart, that have made some measurable difference.

While maybe not life changing, yet they have added something to life.

They haven't fixed me, but have measurably helped me.

One of them is I Won't Let You Go by Switchfoot.

Essentially for me it is a reminder that someone (God) is looking out for me, somehow right there with me, while I have navigated some of the more challenging moments of the last decade.

Hearing each maybe every few months has reminded me and helped me to turn my focus onto Him.

Because of its impact I had a thought the other day just to record a little sample.

Again for the same reason. To remind me of the truth it carries. 

And also in the hope it might help someone else...

Maybe even you?

To check it out click here.

You might think you are small...

Maybe you feel like many who see the world as big and that you are small…and wonder what difference you can truly make?

I believe the world is changed by big things and the so called big people, but also by small things and those who feel small in the middle of it.

I have been kindly reminded over the last few weeks of the impact my little life has had on some others. 

It has been truly encouraging.

So if you feel small today.

And that the world is big.

Can I encourage to do small things where you can and for who you can.

You have no idea the impact your actions can have!

Something to think about…