I learned something about myself and the world. I discussed it over a beer with a good friend of mine and he thought it was interesting enough for a write up-so here we go.
1. You're an idiot
2. Everybody is an idiot
3. It's fine
Ideally you realize these truths in sequence. When you're young, you are unaware of all of this. But then as you grow older, you start to notice how much you don't know and how how often you mess things up. You realize you're an idiot. This naturally leads to imposter syndrome.
Over time you start to see that everyone around you is equally clueless and also makes way too many mistakes. Your imposter syndrome begins to fade. Initially, you may cling to the belief that things are better managed elsewhere, other companies, other countries, but eventually, you'll see that incompetence is universal. The people in charge aren't very good at what they do, nor do they know what's going on. Everybody is an idiot.
This might very well lead to some sort of depression. The world must be doomed if we're all idiots. Look at where things are! But then you do look at where things are and you come to the conclusion that it is somehow fine. The world isn't ideal; the four horsemen: death, disease, famine and war are still roaming. But we live longer, are healthier, more fed than ever and even war is at a historical low level. It's fine.
Of course, this leaves four types of people who draw different conclusions. For example you might turn into a freeloader if you miss that others are idiots too. A lot of Silicon Valley types seem to miss the first two insights and think that they are great and surrounded by great people and that's why the world is doing well. The less agreeable types miss the first insight. They think they're great and everyone else is an idiot. If they think the world is fine, they become narcissists. If they think it's doomed, they acquire a messiah complex. Some don't even get that far. They're so full of themselves they never bother to think about the world at all.
Put these three sentences near your work place on a sticker (virtual or real). As you go through your day’s encounter with idiocy (yours and others) it will grant you empathy. Reminding yourself that in spite of that we’ve made immense progress will make you optimistic. It’s words to live by.
