I myself don't have road rage at all, although I used to. Part of it is understanding that if I'm ever in a big hurry to get somewhere, that's on me, not on anything else. Another part is this concept.
The more I learn about various conspiracy theories, the more I think about both of these principles, though I wasn't familiar with Hanlon specifically. Humans are just too dumb and poorly organized to pull off many of the things attributed to them.
I often go one level beyond, and instead of assuming stupidity, think if their behavior can be explained by a different but equally reasonable set of primary assumptions.
That's actually a much better way to put it, and when I write about this again in a couple years, I think I'll focus on exactly that aspect. That's how I think about it too! It makes life so, so much easier.
It is, isn't it? Many times what seems like stupidity can be a fairly reasonable conclusion of you change the premises. So if you make the best effort to consider what would be reasonable premises that could lead a sensible person to think like so, it makes arguing and even convincing others so much easier. It takes more effort than just dismissing people as idiots, of course.
Yes, very much so. I have drawn the same conclusion: it's far easier to simply give folks the benefit of the doubt, so you can actually understand their thought processes. It sure makes observing geopolitics much easier!
Well said and I'm so with you. It took me a long time to get to a place where I default to generosity versus anger. Sometimes I still have to check myself before I wreck myself
I love Hanlon's Razor and apply it regularly and never fail to find just stupidity underneith.
It really makes life easier, doesn't it?
I dunno. I'm more of a Gillette guy myself. (I couldn't resist the lameness.)
Also, "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." This is my go-to defense in all interactions with law enforcement.
in fairness, Gillette is literally the best a man can get. Hanlon is middling at best as far as leaving your face smooth.
Gillett may be the best a man can get, but the Goo was worth the squeeze.... https://youtu.be/VIPB-1JQTjI?si=hyET8PbK0uGbrp1Z
I am 100% sure "this feels really good" is an actual quote from that shower.
Hanlon's theory could be used to treat road rage...
I myself don't have road rage at all, although I used to. Part of it is understanding that if I'm ever in a big hurry to get somewhere, that's on me, not on anything else. Another part is this concept.
The more I learn about various conspiracy theories, the more I think about both of these principles, though I wasn't familiar with Hanlon specifically. Humans are just too dumb and poorly organized to pull off many of the things attributed to them.
Although Hanlon is a subset of Occam, I still find myself using this particular framework more than all other Occams combined.
I often go one level beyond, and instead of assuming stupidity, think if their behavior can be explained by a different but equally reasonable set of primary assumptions.
That's actually a much better way to put it, and when I write about this again in a couple years, I think I'll focus on exactly that aspect. That's how I think about it too! It makes life so, so much easier.
It is, isn't it? Many times what seems like stupidity can be a fairly reasonable conclusion of you change the premises. So if you make the best effort to consider what would be reasonable premises that could lead a sensible person to think like so, it makes arguing and even convincing others so much easier. It takes more effort than just dismissing people as idiots, of course.
Yes, very much so. I have drawn the same conclusion: it's far easier to simply give folks the benefit of the doubt, so you can actually understand their thought processes. It sure makes observing geopolitics much easier!
And if malice, then forgiveness…
Serenity prayer!
I prefer Occam’s razor.
Call me old fashioned 👨🦳😉
An exception is Donald Trump, who is both malicious and stupid.
Well said and I'm so with you. It took me a long time to get to a place where I default to generosity versus anger. Sometimes I still have to check myself before I wreck myself
100%, and we all do! But just knowing that there's this idiot that lives inside me helps.
This made me smile. :) Quite simply.
Who you callin' simple?!?
(good example of how not to do the thing!)
I thought that might make you smile :).