DrContrarian

  Dear Mr Mark Zuckerberg, I read with interest your appeal to people not to deface the ‘black lives matter’ logo. Really interesting dilemma you face. I must be honest and upfront with you; I don’t feel sorry for you in dealing with pernicious insubordination. That is what happens when you let the #SJWs run the agenda in the work place, but this is a real interesting leadership challenge. How do you lead when you are wrong? I only want to address the issue a bit more philosophically because I am curious about your thinking. I can’t comprehend how a smart guy got sucked into this vortex of stupidity. If I try and look for a single word to describe what lies at the heart of all the ‘social justice’ causes I conclude that it is the idea of tolerance . Would that be a fair conclusion? We should tolerate people who are different. We should tolerate different races and genders for instance. ‘Black lives matter’ is about fairness and justice and equality, it is about ...

(Or, other people’s money...) Over the years business organisations have been eaten away slowly from the inside by social justice warriors. How this happened, requires us to go back a few years and in the evolution of the business organisation. Business organisations used to have a simple, clear objective: to make a commercial return to their shareholders. To do this, they innovated, developed products and served the needs of the people in a market place where those solutions are traded for cash – at a profit. The business wins and the consumer wins. The thin edge of the wedge has been sustainability, introduced some two decades ago, by the proponents of sustainability who proffered a solution to a problem that did not exist. They suggested that organisations should broaden their focus to include an emphasis on environment and on community. Broadening the focus automatically and explicitly also equates to a dilution of focus – that stands to reason. That is the guarante...

People say you should be tolerant. But should you tolerate laziness, poor personal hygiene or stealing?   Should you tolerate abusers, perverts and scoundrels? People say you should not be judgmental. But if you don’t judge, how do you know when to cross the road? If you don’t judge whether something is appropriate how do you know it is inappropriate? If we don’t judge, how do we lock someone way for their crimes? People say you should not discriminate, but I eat certain foods every day and drink certain wines because I discriminate. I stand up for an older person on a bus because I discriminate. When I put it like that, you will be quick to realise the ridiculousness of a blanket statement like you should be tolerant or you should not judge. You might now start to qualify the statements: ·          You should tolerate what is good and what is bad. ·          You should use your judge...

In a previous piece I encourage people to question their beliefs. I asked the question: Why do people follow/subscribe to popular thoughts and ideas? It is a question that probably has several answers rather than one, but high on that list for me is the propensity people have for confusing change with progress. Progressive is a label that many aspire too. It just seems so smart, doesn’t it? Modern and post-modern societies generally regard all the changes from the pre-modern area (like the beliefs listed above) as ‘progressive’. I wonder if most of the changes aren’t merely changes rather than progress? People don’t understand progress. A lighthouse can be progressive. Most people would see a lighthouse as something static, never-changing and therefore incapable of making ‘progress’. But every time the blinking lighthouse helps ships navigate and steer clear of the rocks, it progressively saves lives. It is its very static, unchanging nature that allows it to do the...

Today, if Twitter is anything to go by, then there is a ‘right’ way to think and believe. This list of cultural beliefs and norms that are prevalent in modern societies, include for instance. ·          Racism is wrong ·          Democracy is right ·          Gender is a fluid, social construct ·          Religion is a primitive belief system ·          Politically we should lean left ·          Diversity should be encouraged ·          Climate change is real ·          Global Trade should be encouraged Once upon a time, we believed the opposite on all of the above. I am not suggesting you (or I) should not believe any of the above. But, ...

Dear Stan, So, you made a speech about racism. It was really well-spoken and a lesson in rhetoric for all. A few facts in advance: Racism exists everywhere. Including all the examples that he mentions. Racism is wrong and it hurts. And no doubt that the racism that existed back then held the people back. However, the type of racism that exists today is not the same as it was then when it was institutionalised and legalised. The racism that exists today is pervasive and much more subtle - and is prevalent amongst ALL races. So, what I am saying is that trotting out racism as an excuse for death rates, under-achievement and general disadvantage is no longer valid. There is no official penalty that exists because you are from a different race. In fact, it is an advantage in many respects. And the unofficial 'penalty' that exists, applies to all. I wonder why would someone who is of mixed race, chose to identify with one side of his heritage over the other? Is...

Can all the 'experts' (Chris at 2thinknow excepted) pleas just piss off and keep your doom and gloom to yourself. You weren't around 6 months ago to warn us, so your 'predictions' now are just a crock of...