Growing up in Nigeria (and the same for anywhere in the world), we are subjected to cultural and societal nuances that eventually define or share our perspective of the world and how we should live.
As a child, we were taught to revere authority and take their word for it. This was hammered into us throughout our formative years through religion, school, family etc. Of course, if done in moderation, there is nothing wrong with this, but this wasn’t the case.
So we all grew into young men, quiet to questioning the status-quo and running with whatever ‘our leader’ said was right, true or the law.
Unfortunately, we see this play out across the board as we all grew up - the civil service, public companies, private companies, startups, communities, churches etc.
I remember sitting in several meetings with some of my colleagues who were young and lived/schooled most of their formative years in ‘Western’ society and admiring their gusto in responding or pushing back to authority based on their conviction and expertise.
This leads me to something I know now but didn’t have a name for it - Hitchen’s razor.
I’m sure you’re wondering WTH is Hitchen’s razor. 🙄
This was coined by a journalist called Christopher Hitchens sometime around 2007 or so. He made the following assertion:
If something is asserted without evidence, it can be dismissed without evidence.
The burden of proof for a claim lies with the one who makes it.
If someone makes a claim but can't prove it, you can dismiss it.
Many a time, we often are ‘forced’ to accept certain things because of who it is coming from - someone we respect, love, trust, admire or fear etc. even when we think otherwise. I see people cower to that industry leader, founder, benefactor, Pastor, CEO, Imam, business leader, elder sibling, investor etc. We never ask why. We never ask for an explanation or reasoning behind their decisions. We never push back or hold them accountable for their decisions.
This doesn’t lead to a healthy or prosperous society. Societies thrive when ideas and opinions are sought, appropriately considered and mixed with respect.
I recall my friend and mentor, Parminder Vir OBE, always reminding me to always have an opinion. You’re not a sponge, you shouldn’t be soaking up everything without pushing back or sharing what you think!
Of course, in this era of social media, if an argument is presented to you without credible evidence, do you really need to respond with critically considered evidence—do you need to engage it at all?
My opinion is this - if it will be a waste of time trying to change someone’s mind—if little is to be gained from such engagement—then, don’t bother. That is, dismiss it without evidence.
Again, if there is nothing to be gained from presenting your conclusions—if they’re to fall on deaf ears—then why bother?
However, you must always have an opinion and train yourself to communicate it with adequate evidence or data. Communication is more than just words, it’s in the tone, the message, context, medium etc.
So next time someone claims their word is law, remember Hitchen’s razor.
Thank you for this. It's okay to have an opinion. Sometimes, it seems having an opinion is bad or disrespectful.
I remember how my sincere questions were answered with Mr discipline(Cane) and c'mon will you do as you are told?"
That swallowed my voice.IIver time, I stopped questioning things and started doing as I was told. My creativity was nowhere to be found.
The same people who shushed me began to ask if I had brains and why I wasn't using my head.
I know it wasn't their intention to shush me. They didn't know better. They didn't know how that would affect me.
But, I am consciously working on myself, speaking up with empathy and respect.
Also, I am giving others a chance to express themselves without fear of being attacked for having an opinion.
Thanks for this piece.