Friday, December 20, 2024

"If everyone is thinking the same, someone is not thinking" - a variation


Gentlemen, I take it we are all in complete agreement on the decision here. Then, I propose we postpone further discussion of this matter until the next meeting to give ourselves time to develop disagreement, and perhaps gain some understanding of what the decision is all about.

-Alfred P. Sloan 

Everyone talks about diversity of crowds, but the crux of the issue is having diversity of opinions and disagreement. Of course, disagreement for the sake of being disagreeable to worthless. Disagreement requires deep thought. It requires thinking about pros and cons. It requires an attempt to eliminate ignorance whenever possible. Agreement is caused from a lack of thinking and assuming that all the information necessary to make the right decision is available.

Of course, disagreement may lead to paralysis, so someone must decide but the decision has to be made through a blend of choices. 

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