4 ms·

Seems like an exemplary case for "Chesterton's fence": https://www.chesterton.org/taking-a-fence-down/ https://www.chesterton.org/taking-a-fence-down/ Often t

Seems like an exemplary case for "Chesterton's fence": https://www.chesterton.org/taking-a-fence-down/ https://www.chesterton.org/taking-a-fence-down/ Often the most important comments in a codebase are signs on such fences, preserving hard-won knowledge of pitfalls in software and human processes.

maxerickson 7y ago
The required storage temperature for chemicals being stored is a pretty obvious thing to document clearly. It's also not a wild idea to have adjustments to the storage conditions follow some sort of review process. Chesterton's fence is sort of about understanding something that isn't necessarily obvious, changing storage conditions in an industrial environment without checking requirements is neglect rather than ignorance.
- dragonwriter 7y ago
  > neglect rather than ignorance Reasonably avoidable ignorance of essential knowledge is a manner in which neglect creates disaster; ignorance and neglect are not opposed concepts.
  - maxerickson 7y ago
    I suppose I am arguing that this is far more obvious than 'reasonably avoidable ignorance'. I suppose I am also arguing that there is a mechanistic requirement of the role 'plant manager', where they shouldn't make changes without understanding the impacts. That's somewhat different than ignorance, because it's pretty much their job to do what it takes to act correctly, avoiding assumption and the like.
- tempguy9999 7y ago
  Before I heard of Chesterton's Fence, I had read of the Hurrican Lantern Effect. Pretty similar http://quichemoraine.com/2009/06/the-hurricane-lantern-effect/ http://quichemoraine.com/2009/06/the-hurricane-lantern-effec...
- thombat 7y ago
  I genuinely like your argument: although I've seen a few too many managers that exemplified the Peter Principle it's not unreasonable to hope that a "plant manager" is aware that a web of process exists, even if they can't immediately cite it.

maxerickson 7y ago

The required storage temperature for chemicals being stored is a pretty obvious thing to document clearly. It's also not a wild idea to have adjustments to the storage conditions follow some sort of review process. Chesterton's fence is sort of about understanding something that isn't necessarily obvious, changing storage conditions in an industrial environment without checking requirements is neglect rather than ignorance.

dragonwriter 7y ago
> neglect rather than ignorance Reasonably avoidable ignorance of essential knowledge is a manner in which neglect creates disaster; ignorance and neglect are not opposed concepts.
- maxerickson 7y ago
  I suppose I am arguing that this is far more obvious than 'reasonably avoidable ignorance'. I suppose I am also arguing that there is a mechanistic requirement of the role 'plant manager', where they shouldn't make changes without understanding the impacts. That's somewhat different than ignorance, because it's pretty much their job to do what it takes to act correctly, avoiding assumption and the like.
tempguy9999 7y ago
Before I heard of Chesterton's Fence, I had read of the Hurrican Lantern Effect. Pretty similar http://quichemoraine.com/2009/06/the-hurricane-lantern-effect/ http://quichemoraine.com/2009/06/the-hurricane-lantern-effec...
thombat 7y ago
I genuinely like your argument: although I've seen a few too many managers that exemplified the Peter Principle it's not unreasonable to hope that a "plant manager" is aware that a web of process exists, even if they can't immediately cite it.