Okrent’s Law

“The pursuit of balance can create imbalance because sometimes something is true.”

D. Okrent

Journalist and author Daniel Okrent once commented on the problem of journalists giving equal weight to fringe views with little evidence in the name of appearing balanced, which can give fringe views credibility and cause imbalance. He said:

The problem is real, and pervasive, and getting more complicated. As fewer and fewer news media stake a claim on being impartial, those that do are more and more inclined to cover their asses with the “on the one hand, on the other hand” trope.

Being open-minded is an asset at one level, a liability at another, and eventually a catastrophe. This is true in many fields.

Words:  Morgan Housel
Original Source: Collaborative Fund