We don't always need to understand

back to all Articles

As humans we have a tendency to want an explanation for things - our brains are pattern matching machines.

This desire for understanding leads us to build stories - to wrap information into neat narratives to explain events.

It provides us comfort to feel that we understand what is going on in the world.

The problem is that stories fool us, especially the ones that make sense. It feels good to feel like we understand.

We should more frequently challenge the stories that we are told, even the ones that we tell ourselves.

Next time you find yourself thinking "that makes sense", that is your sign to challenge the narrative.