The quote is commonly called “Hanlon’s razor” (by analogy with Occam’s Razor)
It is usually interpreted as pointing out that the prior probability of incompetence is much, much higher than the prior probability of evil. So that with any given fuck-up, even if it seems obviously evil, is still more likely to be caused by incompetence.
In this case, it is very unlikely that there is any person or persons in the DoT that is amused by PhilGoetz’s frustration and rage. It is highly likely that, between unions, and construction companies, and highway patrol departments, and schedule slips and general inattention, there is systemic incompetence in the DoT industrial complex.
It is highly likely that, between unions, and construction companies, and highway patrol departments, and schedule slips and general inattention, there is systemic incompetence in the DoT industrial complex.
It’s also highly likely that things are organized the way they are organized because it benefits someone—e.g. unions, and construction companies, etc. etc. -- and nobody cares about the convenience of the masses.
But that’s exactly what I mean. The union, the construction company, all have a stake, but none of them evil. It could even be all good guys. Say the planners are all looking out for the little guy. But one is worried about construction noise, and another about worker safety, and another about secondary traffic effects in local neighborhoods and another about cost overruns.
It’s the n-dimensional, multiplayer tug of war that produced a fucked up result, not actual malice on anyone’s part.
The union, the construction company, all have a stake, but none of them evil.
What do you mean, “evil”? They all have a stake and they all arrange the situation to benefit themselves. It’s not malice, just, as noted, “good business”.
The quote is commonly called “Hanlon’s razor” (by analogy with Occam’s Razor)
It is usually interpreted as pointing out that the prior probability of incompetence is much, much higher than the prior probability of evil. So that with any given fuck-up, even if it seems obviously evil, is still more likely to be caused by incompetence.
In this case, it is very unlikely that there is any person or persons in the DoT that is amused by PhilGoetz’s frustration and rage. It is highly likely that, between unions, and construction companies, and highway patrol departments, and schedule slips and general inattention, there is systemic incompetence in the DoT industrial complex.
It’s also highly likely that things are organized the way they are organized because it benefits someone—e.g. unions, and construction companies, etc. etc. -- and nobody cares about the convenience of the masses.
“It’s just good business”—Lord Cutler Beckett.
But that’s exactly what I mean. The union, the construction company, all have a stake, but none of them evil. It could even be all good guys. Say the planners are all looking out for the little guy. But one is worried about construction noise, and another about worker safety, and another about secondary traffic effects in local neighborhoods and another about cost overruns.
It’s the n-dimensional, multiplayer tug of war that produced a fucked up result, not actual malice on anyone’s part.
What do you mean, “evil”? They all have a stake and they all arrange the situation to benefit themselves. It’s not malice, just, as noted, “good business”.