Law of holes

[inavalan]

Law of holes
1. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
2. When you stop digging, you are still in a hole.

The adage has been attributed to a number of sources. It appeared in print on page six of The Washington Post dated 25 October 1911, in the form: "Nor would a wise man, seeing that he was in a hole, go to work and blindly dig it deeper..."

In 1983, Bill Brock was quoted "Let me tell you about the law of holes: If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

In the United Kingdom, it has been referred to as "Healey's first law of holes" after politician Denis Healey, who used the adage in the 1980s and later.

[Deb]

Yeah, Will Rogers too. I guess the only solution is to wise up... and step away from the shovel. 

[inavalan]

The biggest, and often insurmountable problem is to realize that you ARE in a hole. That is even more unlikely when you are hypnotized by a narrative ("mass formation").

We're here to learn .... My 4 years old niece is sure that her plays are "real". On the other hand, I wouldn't trust her with other decisions.

When I talk to / read / listen to some "adults", it is easy to forget that on another "continuum" they are only 4 years old. Unfortunately, many of them are in position to make important, even vital decisions.

[Deb]

Well sadly, yes to all of the above. But when you're in a more figurative hole, and realize where you are, I think it is easier to learn from and remedy than its literal counterpart. Call me Captain Obvious.

I'm here to learn, I'm all over that. Unfortunately it sometimes takes me a couple of hard knocks to get it. I really prefer to learn from others' mistakes.