Thread by @tomaspueyo

Hanlon’s Razor is wrong.

“Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.”

The right aspect: When you disagree with other ppl, it’s very common to assume it’s because of their malice, and it’s usually wrong.

But stupidity isn’t the answer either

Ppl might have:
Different goals
Different incentives
Different data
Different experiences
Different assumptions
Different aspects of the same conclusion highlighted
Different processing of the same info.

A different processing of the same info might be better or worse.

If better, you might assume they disagree with you because of malice or stupidity, when in fact you’re just wrong.

If they have worse processing, it might be lack of training, youth, tiredness...

Assuming others disagree with you because of stupidity not only avoids all these other options. It also prevents you from solving the pbm because it’s condescending. It assumes you’re right and the other must be corrected. Not great for solving problems.

Here’s a better razor:

Never attribute disagreements to malice, stupidity, or any other specific reason. There are many possible reasons. Sit down, talk, and figure out the root cause.