Skip to content

This was probably rooted in a belief that had been…

“This was probably rooted in a belief that had been inculcated to him from the get-go: that there was an objective reality, which all people worth talking to could observe and understand, and that there was no point in arguing about anything that could be so observed and so understood. As long as…” quote by Neal Stephenson
Download Open image
““This was probably rooted in a belief that had been inculcated to him from the get-go: that there was an objective reality, which all people worth talking to could observe and understand, and that there was no point in arguing about anything that could be so observed and so understood. As long as you made a point of hanging out exclusively with people who had the wit to see and to understand that objective reality, you didn’t have to waste a lot of time talking. When a thunderstorm was headed your way across the prairie, you took the washing down from the line and closed the windows. It wasn’t necessary to have a meeting about it. The sales force didn’t need to get involved.””

Neal Stephenson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Describes a culture that avoids discussion by assuming shared, obvious truths, leading to isolation from dissent.

In simple terms: Avoiding debate by assuming obvious truth.

Key Takeaway

Encourage open dialogue.

Themes

communication groupthink epistemic closure

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical social

When to use this quote

  • team meetings
  • online forums
  • policy making

Key Concepts

sociology information theory cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • What truths are assumed without proof?
  • How can diverse perspectives be included?
A Different Perspective

May overlook hidden complexities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Neal Stephenson

Explore all 633 Neal Stephenson quotes

More Faith quotes

Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes