The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the rationale behind previous decisions when making choices in order to avoid making things worse. They argue that it is essential to consider second-order thinking, which involves considering the consequences of the consequences of our decisions. The author introduces Chesterton’s Fence as a heuristic that cautions against removing or changing something without understanding its purpose. They highlight that fences, or systems, are not created without reason and that interventions without awareness of the consequences can lead to unintended harm. The author also discusses the importance of recognizing and respecting the decisions made by previous generations. They caution against dismissing or disregarding established systems without fully understanding their purpose. The author concludes by emphasizing the need to observe, understand, and intimately familiarize oneself with a system before proposing changes.
https://fs.blog/chestertons-fence/