I must object to bicycles being lumped in with other WAMs that run on borrowed power, whereas a bicycle is still leg powered. How about LAMs, leg avoidance machines? Ok, obviously I'm over-reacting because you've struck a nerve. I LOVE my bike and consider it a honorary member of old wisdom. Can I keep it please?
Haha I'm glad it struck a nerve. I must admit I have had very little experience with bikes after the age of 10 so maybe I'm missing out? But I wouldn't mind walking with you as you pedal next to me.
Nice post Arman, I liked the acronym WAMs. I totally agree with you. Antifragile things tend to have a reason for staying around for such a long time.
As for another example, I just wrote about a similar topic last week about how partying is actually an evolutionary adaptive behavior, because our ancestors were afraid of being alone in the dark.
Thanks Grant. Appreciate you subscribing. Sounds like you are already in the know about Nassim Taleb. I wrote this after rereading my favorite book of his - Antifragile. So many gems.
Haha I love that idea! I just subscribed. Looking forward to seeing what other interesting topics you explore.
"In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, 'I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.' To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: 'If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.'"
Basically, the idea is that the reason why something might seem useless/outdated/etc. is not because it is outdated but because the observer is ignorant of its origin and purpose.
I must object to bicycles being lumped in with other WAMs that run on borrowed power, whereas a bicycle is still leg powered. How about LAMs, leg avoidance machines? Ok, obviously I'm over-reacting because you've struck a nerve. I LOVE my bike and consider it a honorary member of old wisdom. Can I keep it please?
Haha I'm glad it struck a nerve. I must admit I have had very little experience with bikes after the age of 10 so maybe I'm missing out? But I wouldn't mind walking with you as you pedal next to me.
Nice post Arman, I liked the acronym WAMs. I totally agree with you. Antifragile things tend to have a reason for staying around for such a long time.
As for another example, I just wrote about a similar topic last week about how partying is actually an evolutionary adaptive behavior, because our ancestors were afraid of being alone in the dark.
Thanks Grant. Appreciate you subscribing. Sounds like you are already in the know about Nassim Taleb. I wrote this after rereading my favorite book of his - Antifragile. So many gems.
Haha I love that idea! I just subscribed. Looking forward to seeing what other interesting topics you explore.
Have you heard of Chesterton's fence?
I believe so but I have no idea what it means. Please share!
In GK Chesterton's own words:
"In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, 'I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.' To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: 'If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.'"
Basically, the idea is that the reason why something might seem useless/outdated/etc. is not because it is outdated but because the observer is ignorant of its origin and purpose.