Humility has been a lot on my mind recently.  Probably because the world seems to be so short on it at the moment. 

 

I asked a friend of mine, who is one of the most humble people I know, how he would define humility.  His answer?  Being properly calibrated on your own upsides and downsides, and giving people the benefit of the doubt.  

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In an age of increasing complexity where it is so hard to know things for certain, it seems clear that most people would prefer to feign certainty rather than embrace humility. And it’s not hard to see why. When the world seems to be careening out of control all around us, and when the information seems to conflict, we need some way of feeling safe. Given the choice between definitive answers and open-ended questions, people prefer the sure thing.  

 

But the sure thing is a lie.  

 

. The internet rewards loud declarations over nuanced discussions. We live in a culture that conditions us to be confidee is sexy and subsequently makes following our curiosity and questioning 

 

We live in an age where information perpetually conflicts and public dialogue is deeply polarized.