Chesterson's Fence

Who put that fence there?

Author

Gary Farnham
August 11, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

I introduce to you Chesterton’s Fence:

Like many young people, I am fascinated by creativity and innovation, as I believe we should be. I actively follow and support many of the new movements in today’s world that can be categorized as "disruptive innovation."

I constantly hear and understand that much of today’s media and social media are overrun with complaints—complaints about our systems, the political system, the financial system, the media itself—just complaints about nearly everything.

Many bright young people have set out on a mission similar to my own: to leave the world a better place than we found it. Due to these complaints, along with more information and more transparency provided by decentralized information and media through social media, many are working on projects that aim to change society as we know it. They are looking to disrupt and change major systems that have existed since the early days of our country.

Yes, technology is allowing us to rethink the way we live. It’s happening, especially with AI, and this will only accelerate further.

I am all for it. I am not for complaining; I am for action. I appreciate the doers, the men and women in the arena who are following their grand ideas and looking to create better alternatives to current systems that are leaving many people scratching their heads—real estate, medicine, finance, etc.

However, I propose that we all keep in mind "Chesterton’s Fence."

Here it is in G.K. Chesterton’s words:

There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.”

G.K Chesterson

I am applying this to disruptive innovation, though it could be applied to many different areas.

One such instance is entering a new job, new role, new project. It may be tempting to start tearing down fences left and right. Chesterton’s Fence tells us to fully dive deep into why the fence was there to begin with before dismantling it. Once the reason for the fence is known, then a decision can be made on whether to keep it up, change its shape, or tear it down entirely.

Don’t go around removing fences that have a good reason for being there.

Figure out why it’s there, then tear it down and build a better alternative.

G