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Chesterton's Fence

🌤 2023-12-28

🌧 2022-01-14

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A mental model that warns against removing (and changing) complex systems without an understanding of the purpose and function of that system or, at least, the parts destined for demolition (or change):

“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.”