I think there’s a crucial difference between Chesterton’s fence and this situation: in the former, Chesterton is in a position of power over the would-be reformer (“I certainly won’t let you clear it away”). Your past self, on the other hand, is powerless to stop you, so the dialogue would be more like
Past you – I don’t see any reason to clear away my dear fence; please honor me by keeping it.
Present you – If you don’t see the use of clearing your fence away, I certainly won’t let you keep it. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see why I’m looking forward to getting rid of it, I may allow you to keep it. That is, if only you could still do anything at all, because you don’t exist anymore. (Laughs at past you) Screw you! (Eagerly tears the fence down at once).
That detail of Chesterton’s fable has never struck me as salient, but mere stylistic detail. The reason to not gleefully tear down the fence is that there may be a good reason for its existence that I am unaware of, not that anyone is actually standing in my way.
I think there’s a crucial difference between Chesterton’s fence and this situation: in the former, Chesterton is in a position of power over the would-be reformer (“I certainly won’t let you clear it away”). Your past self, on the other hand, is powerless to stop you, so the dialogue would be more like
Past you – I don’t see any reason to clear away my dear fence; please honor me by keeping it.
Present you – If you don’t see the use of clearing your fence away, I certainly won’t let you keep it. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see why I’m looking forward to getting rid of it, I may allow you to keep it. That is, if only you could still do anything at all, because you don’t exist anymore. (Laughs at past you) Screw you! (Eagerly tears the fence down at once).
That detail of Chesterton’s fable has never struck me as salient, but mere stylistic detail. The reason to not gleefully tear down the fence is that there may be a good reason for its existence that I am unaware of, not that anyone is actually standing in my way.