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I don't quite get this desire for unity and silencing dissent in a time of crisis.
In fact, it is particularly during an unprecedented one which our routines and institutions have not been calibrated for, that we should value open-mindedness about heterodox views.
In fact, it is particularly during an unprecedented one which our routines and institutions have not been calibrated for, that we should value open-mindedness about heterodox views.
There was a scene in World War Z I found thought-provoking.
It featured Brad Pitt's character prodding the Mossad agent about why Israel was the only country that was prepared for the Zombie apocalypse.
It was called the 10th Man Rule.
It featured Brad Pitt's character prodding the Mossad agent about why Israel was the only country that was prepared for the Zombie apocalypse.
It was called the 10th Man Rule.
He explained that Israel’s security council had 10 advisors that looked into national security issues.
If the first 9 dismissed an issue as a potential threat, the 10th man was forced to overrule on principle and look into the issue no matter how unlikely the scenario was.
If the first 9 dismissed an issue as a potential threat, the 10th man was forced to overrule on principle and look into the issue no matter how unlikely the scenario was.
He had to support it (play devil's advocate) and try to prove to the rest that it wasn't a threat.
That way Israel would always be prepared for black swan events (yes I'm aware covid19 = white swan).
In the film, this allowed them to build a wall to keep the zombies out.
That way Israel would always be prepared for black swan events (yes I'm aware covid19 = white swan).
In the film, this allowed them to build a wall to keep the zombies out.
Tunnel vision can induce overconfidence & confirmation bias, leading one to ignore potential risks while looking at "agreeable facts." Experts are not immune to this.
We've seen nations do that already, when they erroneously relied on faulty WHO directives for decision-making.
We've seen nations do that already, when they erroneously relied on faulty WHO directives for decision-making.
Moreover, in a rapidly evolving crisis such as this, decision-makers need to be given the political space to make mid-course corrections, which should be encouraged when the interpretation of facts or even just the facts themselves change.
All this tension between the folks who want to open the economy and those who want to continue the lockdown is not undesirable. It's not unwanted chaos.
Au contraire, it's actually part and parcel of living and participating in a healthy society.
This is a feature, not a bug.
Au contraire, it's actually part and parcel of living and participating in a healthy society.
This is a feature, not a bug.
Attacking dissenting voices, demonizing critics, and trying to enforce groupthink are not helpful.
Most people clearly want what's best - the mitigation of the virus at the lowest economic and social cost.
Rather than unity, I think respect can go a long way.
Most people clearly want what's best - the mitigation of the virus at the lowest economic and social cost.
Rather than unity, I think respect can go a long way.
