HEALTH WARNING TO MY FOLLOWERS: I want to sincerely appreciate my 106,000 followers on Twitter. I am probably one of the more difficult people to follow. My brother @Waziriadio reminded me this morning of the Socrates quote that an unexamined life is not worth living. Thread...
A number of people struggle to understand many of my views here. I’ve reflected on it and have identified the following reasons:
1. I trained as a lawyer from a very young age. That means that the legal principle of “Audi alteram partem” (let the other side be heard) is ingrained
1. I trained as a lawyer from a very young age. That means that the legal principle of “Audi alteram partem” (let the other side be heard) is ingrained
This means that when someone appears to have done wrong, I am unlikely to immediately shout “Crucify him! Crucify him!! Let his blood be on our heads and those of our children.”
2. I have worked with governments in various countries for 30 years. I know things that many don’t.
2. I have worked with governments in various countries for 30 years. I know things that many don’t.
This means that when I try to explain things from the other side (letting government too be heard in the spirit of audi alteram partem) some can mistake it for defending government. You can’t always blame people for that. The task is to patiently explain to the open minded.
3. I have a PhD. This means that I am trained to see different shades of grey, not just black and white. I subscribe to the view that ALL knowledge is fallible. And that if we don’t question what we think we know for sure, we can’t advance knowledge. So, again, no mob membership
4. I am not afraid to be wrong. A foremost jurist, Lord Denning, once said something like: “I am sometimes wrong. Indeed, I am often wrong. But I am never without an opinion.” When I am wrong, it’s a learning opportunity for me. I admit that I was wrong,?apologise and adjust.
When I am right, the need to guard against hubris sets in. People want you to be right all the time. If you are not careful, you will start believing your own infallibility. Very dangerous. That’s when to look for ways in which what you know may be incomplete.
I can understand how difficult and frustrating it must be for very many people to follow someone that has these attributes. In frustration, they will look for an easy explanation like “He’s looking for appointment” or “He’s getting paid.” It really makes me laugh out loud. 😂😂😂
That’s why those that follow and engage with an open mind have my utmost respect. Thank you for tolerating me. God bless you all. End.
