Latest news with #Hanlon


Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Tired of toxic office drama? This one-line philosophy can keep you calm and stress-free
'Never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity.' This sharp and almost cynical line from writer Robert J. Hanlon may sound dismissive at first, but in an age of rising workplace stress, instant outrage, and constant assumptions, it offers a surprisingly profound survival tool — one that's more relevant today than ever. When Workplaces Turn Into Battlegrounds of Assumption We've all been there. You were left out of a team email. Someone botched your name during a crucial presentation. A colleague seemed to take credit for your idea in front of the boss. The reflex? Anger. The assumption? It must have been deliberate. In high-pressure office environments, it's easy — even comforting — to assume that others are out to get you. But what if they weren't? What if the snub, the oversight, the poor communication wasn't rooted in malice, but in mere forgetfulness, ignorance, or human error? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software Esseps Learn More Undo That's where Hanlon's Razor steps in — a mental shortcut that urges us to pause, breathe, and reconsider. Originally coined in Arthur Bloch's 1980 book Murphy's Law Book Two, the adage has now become part of digital-age wisdom, especially among techies and cognitive scientists trying to untangle the psychological chaos of human behavior. — sketchplanator (@sketchplanator) A Philosophy with Ancient Roots Although Hanlon popularized it, the logic behind this 'razor' has been echoed through centuries. St. Augustine believed that most wrongdoing was due to ignorance, not evil. The Stoics, like Epictetus, warned against rushing to judgment. Even German writer Goethe, in 1774, lamented that 'misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief than wickedness.' You Might Also Like: Are we deciphering 'Ikigai' all wrong? The truth behind Japan's most misunderstood philosophy In the 20th century, science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein captured the same essence in his novella Logic of Empire (1941): 'You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.' The thread is consistent — more often than not, we misread the intent behind actions because we're viewing them through a narrow, self-centered lens. Why It Matters in the Modern Workplace Today's office culture, marked by Slack pings, overflowing inboxes, and endless meetings, thrives on speed — but also breeds confusion. In such environments, Hanlon's Razor can offer much-needed mental clarity. Instead of jumping to conclusions, it reminds you to consider: Could this be a mistake rather than a personal attack? The Britannica entry on Hanlon's Razor explains it as a heuristic reasoning tool — one that helps individuals avoid harmful assumptions and emotional spirals. The philosophy serves as a counterbalance to cognitive biases such as egocentric bias (assuming others see things your way), confirmation bias (looking only for evidence that supports your suspicions), or the fundamental attribution error (blaming people's character rather than their circumstances). Douglas W. Hubbard, in his 2009 book The Failure of Risk Management, even updated the razor for modern systems thinking: ' Never attribute to malice or stupidity what can be explained by moderately rational individuals following incentives in a complex system. ' In simpler words: not every bad thing at work is sabotage — sometimes it's just the system grinding imperfectly along. You Might Also Like: Stuck in a heated philosophical debate? Here is how 'Straw Man' and 'Steel Man' might just save the conversation But Doesn't This Let People Off the Hook? That's a fair question. Hanlon's Razor doesn't suggest that malice doesn't exist — only that it's not as common as we think. It's not a moral excuse, but a practical mindset. You're still allowed to set boundaries, demand accountability, and call out poor behavior. The difference is in your emotional approach: instead of reacting in rage, you respond with clarity. Think of it as emotional first aid. If someone forgets to schedule you for a meeting or misquotes you in front of a client, jumping to 'they hate me' or 'they're trying to sabotage me' might only harm your own peace. Assuming incompetence or oversight may not only be more accurate, but it also protects your energy and maintains professional composure. Calm Minds, Better Work Lives In the constant churn of modern work, where messages are misread and intentions often lost in translation, Hanlon's Razor offers more than just a mental trick. It gives you a way to choose grace over grievance, and response over reaction. Because let's face it — most people aren't villains in a corporate thriller. They're just trying to make it to 5 PM without spilling coffee on their shirt. And sometimes, the best way to keep your sanity intact is to remember that the messiness around you isn't always personal. It's just… human.


Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
PTMs: student perspective
Listen to article Out of the troika – parents, teachers and students – of the education of a child, I have already written on the roles and rights of parents and teachers in the parent-teacher meetings organised regularly by educational institutions, and I am surprised how I could delay writing on the students' perspective on the PTM after writing the first column 'Teachers and parental feedback' on May 6, 2024 and the second one 'PTMs and parental involvement' on May 13, 2024. My apologies, guys! On a lighter note, students expand the abbreviation of PTM in the vernacular as 'Puttar teri mot' (dude, your death is coming). The vernacular decoding, however, says it all about the apprehensions students have of the PTMs. Generally but counterproductively, a PTM opens up with parents and teachers starting a cacophonous duet of a student's negative traits, academic struggles and disruptive actions. Finding himself viced between the two powers, the student thinks that the PTM has no solution to his problems. He internalises his resentment with the people from whom he expects empathy. It eventuates behavioural aberrations. It has been observed that after every PTM, students find their relationship with parents or teachers more strained. That's why students, particularly those who lag behind in studies, dislike the PTMs – the platform where they are humiliated by their care providers. The day PTM is held is often dubbed "the judgement day" or "the day of retribution". If parents and teachers don't present themselves as the ones who students can confide in, then feeling left in the lurch, what would they do but distrust them? In their heart of hearts, the marooned students must have been thinking that "each one of us is greater than the worst thing we have ever done." Parents and teachers must avoid hurling jeremiads at students' study deficits. Hanlon's razor says: "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." And, if students cannot be exonerated for their stupidity, then who must be? Russell Barkley once said, "The children who need love the most will always ask for it in the most unloving ways." Students want to be heard. They want to be known. But they are neither heard nor allowed to have their say. That's why they believe that the PTMs are about them, not for them. They are forced to do what doesn't hold their heart; they do it willy-nilly and fail to excel in that. Deepak Chopra says, "If a child is poor in math but good at tennis, most people would hire a math tutor. I would rather hire a tennis coach." At the Budapest 2022 World Aquatics Championships, US artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez sank to the bottom of the pool, unconscious. Only Anita's coach Andrea Fuentes got apprehensive and shouted at the lifeguards who couldn't understand the emergency. The coach sprinted and dived into the pool to save Anita because she knew her student and her limit to hold her breath underwater. Fuentes received widespread admiration for the dramatic rescue. Our students too want such a rescue at the PTMs, but they don't find any. The legendary educator Rita Pierson, in her appearance at the TED Talks Education, says, "Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." Students want someone understand them. Failing on that, the outcome is as expected: quiet quitting, indiscipline and defiance. A PTM lacerates scars on students' self-respect when they are humiliated in the presence of the class fellows and their parents. "Students don't learn from people they don't like," asserts Rita. Also, peer judgement proves more deleterious. To avoid this soul piercing, PTMs must be punctuated with tete-a-tetes between students and their teachers to discuss their mutual problems and challenges, particularly of students whose antics are actually the SOS calls. "Every child you encounter is a divine appointment," says Wess Stafford, a devout believer in the divinity of children. Students open up with parents who are always around whenever children need them. PTMs must be places of constructive dialogue, not trial courts, for students.


Ottawa Citizen
18-06-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
St. John's native Peter Hanlon moves to hockey operations department with the Calgary Flames
A St. John's native is taking on a new role with the Calgary Flames. Article content The Flames announced earlier this week that Peter Hanlon was joining the club's hockey operations department in the role of assistant general manager. He previously served the Flames as their vice-president of communications. Article content Article content 'Peter has worked in professional hockey for over 30 years,' said President of Hockey Operations Don Maloney in a prepared release. Article content 'His knowledge and experience are a welcomed addition to our staff.' Article content Hanlon will now work alongside Flames general manager Craig Conroy as the club prepares for next season. Hanlon will start in his new position on July 1. Article content He joins Dave Nonis and Brad Pascall as assistant general managers in Calgary. Article content 'Peter will be involved in all areas of hockey operations, including player evaluation, player recruitment and strategic planning,' said Conroy. 'Together with Assistant General Managers Dave Nonis and Brad Pascall, Peter will help us pursue our goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Calgary.' Article content Hanlon brings extensive experience in pro hockey to the job after starting with the American Hockey League's (AHL) St. John's Maple Leafs in the 1990s. From there, he moved to the head office of the AHL before starting with the Flames in the 1997-1998 season. Article content Article content He has also worked with Team Canada at both the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the World Championships, as well as the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Article content Hanlon began his managerial career with the Toronto Maple Leafs' American League franchise in St. John's, Newfoundland. He was then recruited to work at the AHL head office in Springfield, Mass., before joining the Flames to begin the 1997-98 season. Article content He has international experience, having represented Team Canada at the 2002 Olympics, World Championships, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Article content


Sunday World
13-06-2025
- Sunday World
Married couple accused of violent disorder after Longford filling station brawl
Johnny Nevin (29) and Michelle Nevin (30) were arrested and charged after an initial verbal exchange descended into a fist-fight between two men. Johnny Nevin allegedly traded blows with his rival Christy McDonnell before being pepper sprayed in front of customers and staff. A husband and wife have appeared in court charged in connection to a violent brawl inside the doors of a busy midlands filling station that allegedly saw pepper spray being discharged and two men trade blows in front of horrified shoppers. Johnny Nevin (29) and Michelle Nevin (30) Legion Terrace, Townspark, Longford were both charged with violent disorder following a disturbance which broke out at Hanlon's Gala Shop, Dublin Road, Longford on Tuesday morning. The pair were arrested and charged after an initial verbal exchange descended into a fist-fight between two men and where pepper spray was deployed as staff and members of the public watched on in terror. Johnny and Michelle Nevin outside Athlone Courthouse. In a contested bail hearing before Judge Bernadette Owens at a sitting of Athlone District Court, Garda Patrick Fallon said gardaí were objecting to bail being afforded to Johnny Nevin under O'Callaghan Rules. He said that challenge was being made based on the seriousness of the charge and its maximum sentence on indictment to a term of up to 10 years in prison. The court was also told of how the State's objection also centred around the nature and strength of the evidence gardaí had managed to garner in the wake of the alleged incident. He said it will be alleged the episode in question unfolded at 9:30am when Christy McDonnell who is also before the courts in connection to the incident, entered the store of the service station where he was followed by Nevin and his wife, Michelle. Judge Owens was told it will be the State's case that as the pair came looking for McDonnell, a physical altercation broke out on the shop floor and 'in front of a large number of people'. Garda Fallon said a series of punches were thrown by both men before they were separated by staff. McDonnell, it was stated, left the premises only to return moments later where the scuffle between the pair resumed at the front door of the shop. Johnny Nevin and his wife Michelle Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025 The court heard how it will be alleged Nevin assaulted his rival and wife, Bernadette by striking both individuals with his fist. That fracas, it was contended, led to Nevin being pepper sprayed inside the shop by McDonnell before fleeing on foot seconds later. Garda Fallon said Nevin made 'full admissions' in interview following his arrest and was essentially caught 'red-handed' in view of the quality of CCTV footage which was downloaded by detectives. Judge Owens was similarly told gardaí harboured concerns over possible witness interference, concerns which had heightened by the fact Nevin was only granted bail the week previously by the same court. In defence, Diarmuid Quinn, took issue with the State's assertion over his client's purported culpability, insisting the Longford man was acting in self-defence. 'He put forward a context to it (incident) that he was defending himself and his wife,' said Mr Quinn. He argued the prospect of remanding Nevin in custody would likewise impose significant hardship on his own domestic situation where he currently holds down the role of being his family's only designated driver. Mr Quinn added Nevin's nine-year-old son was very much reliant on his father to bring him to and from school and was currently dealing with the fallout from an uncle who was terminally ill in Dublin. He said in a bid to convey Nevin's willingness to abide by any conditions the court handed down, his client had come to court with €1,000 as a potential cash bail lodgement. Judge Owens, in delivering her verdict, said while the State had met the required threshold for objecting to bail, the court was obliged to consider if the imposition of a series of conditions would help alleviate the Gardaí's fears. Johnny Nevin allegedly traded blows with his rival Christy McDonnell before being pepper sprayed in front of customers and staff. She subsequently granted bail on the basis Nevin enter into his own cash bond of €1,000 and obey a 10pm to 6am curfew. He was also ordered to sign on three times a week at Longford Garda Station, to stay out of Hanlon's Gala in Longford town, to have no contact with Christy and Bernadette McDonnell including via social media and to remain contactable at all times on a designated mobile phone number. He was remanded on bail to appear back at a sitting of Longford District Court on July 15 when directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are expected to be made known. The court heard there were no State objections to Michelle Nevin who was granted bail subject to a number of conditions also. They included a once weekly signing on condition, to have no contact with both McDonnells and to likewise steer clear of the Dublin Road based filling station. She was remanded on bail to appear back before a sitting of Longford District Court on September 16 for DPP directions.

Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats face uphill battle with perception, finances; maintain hope
CHEYENNE — Wyoming Democrats are preparing to focus more on working-class issues and demonstrating their capacity to serve in the community following party officer elections in Rock Springs on Sunday. Wyoming Democrats suffered major losses during the 2024 election cycle, mimicking a nationwide shift toward the Republican Party. Democrats only hold eight seats in the 93-member Wyoming Legislature. With hopes to regain their footing, newly elected party vice chair Lindsey Hanlon of Cheyenne says they intend to lead by example and show the party's ability to meet people where they are. 'We're focusing a lot on being able to just help people,' Hanlon said. 'There is a lot of suffering going on right now in Wyoming. There's a lot of issues that are facing people immediately, and those are the kinds of issues that we want to start helping with.' Whether it be access to food or housing, Hanlon says the party wants to be associated with actively helping in the community and showing care for the community. This message of showing up to help neighbors and leading by example was echoed by several state Democrats at Sunday's meeting. '(Republicans) are focusing a lot on national issues and not really on the issues that are facing Wyomingites,' Hanlon said. 'And so we want to make sure that we are providing that assistance to the people of the state.' In order to meet people where they're at and rebuild the state's Democratic Party, Hanlon said they have to combat the 'fear that the Freedom Caucus has engendered in people.' 'The Freedom Caucus has done a lot of work to make these races much more vitriolic, to make these races much more intense and personal,' Hanlon said. '... The Freedom Caucus has done a lot to try and instill an atmosphere of fear around people trying to oppose their positions.' For Hanlon and others in the party, combating this fear means ensuring there's support for potential candidates. 'There (needs to be) an infrastructure that the candidates can pull from in terms of campaign managers and people to walk and people to knock on doors and all of those things,' Laramie County Democratic Party Central Committee Chairman Matthew Snyder said. 'I think that's really the thing that has been missing from where we are.' While the party aims to have a candidate in every race, it's too soon for new leadership to say what that will actually look like. For now, the best they can do is ensure candidates feel supported. Battling perception Though Democrats intend to put in the work to support their communities, regardless of whether they hold seats in those districts, they're not unaware of their perception in the state. Snyder noted that sometimes Democrats prioritize intellectualizing politics over meeting people where they are. He said many Wyomingites may not realize that most Democrats are their neighbors, facing the same economic hardships as Republicans. 'We, as a party, like to — for lack of a better term — show how smart we are,' Snyder said. 'I think we need to stop doing that. I think, fundamentally, we need to meet people where they are, and I don't think we do a great job of that.' Snyder added that he hopes the party can focus on fundamental class concerns, rather than party affiliation or blue vs. white collar jobs. Nationally, the Democratic Party has been struggling, being perceived as the party of the elite, rather than the party of the working man. Snyder noted that if the party is going to succeed they have to be open to criticism. 'The only way that you get better is to really assess yourself, determine what things you need to fix and move from there,' Snyder said. 'That's something I really wish we would do, and I think we're trying to do here in Laramie County. Let's be really honest about what we are perceived as, because if you don't do that, then you're going to lose every time.' While the party is largely optimistic about recruiting Democratic candidates for local races, former Laramie County Democratic Party Central Committee Chairman Jordan Evans noted that perception will pose a major barrier when looking for new candidates. 'They are going to struggle to find people who want to identify (with a party), especially the Democratic Party, just because it is the minority party where we live,' Evans said. 'The brand right now is sort of not within the control of the party itself.' When Evans was campaigning for a seat in the Legislature last year, he thought that a party identity would be a useful tool to give people a general idea of his platform. He later found that campaigning with the party instead defined his entire political identity, Evans told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. 'Nontraditional media and the sort of polarized state of things defines the brand of the Democratic Party for most non-Democrats before you get a chance to define it for yourself,' Evans said. Evans left his leadership role in the party to better focus on his family, his personal life and serving the causes he values more effectively, he told the WTE. Since leaving the party, he has been focusing on supporting the community through local organizations. He has also started a Substack, a self-publishing platform, where he published an opinion piece titled 'Partisan Politician or 'How I Ruined My Life.'' In the opinion piece, Evans describes what led him to leave the party; in particular, he addresses a newfound belief that has helped him get past the idea that leaving politics at this turbulent time is 'selfish at best and negligent at worst.' 'Disengaging from politics is not only responsible, it may be the key to fixing the politics itself,' Evans wrote. 'I'm learning effective change cannot be steered toward an ideal from the top down. It has to be a wholistic community effort.' Though Evans does not want to discourage those interested in party politics from participating, he does want community members to know that party politics isn't the only way to effect change in their communities. Evans added that this exacerbates the barriers the party will face trying to recruit and even fundraise. 'They'll find people with a strong interest in wanting to make their community better,' Evans said. 'But they'll find it's hard to get those people to then want to associate that interest with the party itself.' Financial barriers The Democratic Party's struggles don't stop at perception; they're also facing an upward battle financially. On Sunday, Wyoming Democratic Party State Central Committee Treasurer Dudley Case informed party leaders that the party has been operating at a loss and needs to do some serious fundraising to recover. As of May 1, the party had $36,580.20 in its federal and non-federal accounts, according to Case. The party has been spending more than it has been raising each month, resulting in a $21,795.32 loss this year, roughly a $5,000 loss per month, in the first four months of the year, according to Case. 'I think that this budget thing is maybe a wake-up call that the party has not been receiving the support that it should,' Hanlon said. 'And I have faith that the people around me are going to step up and are going to give us that support. I think that Wyoming is full of some of the most generous people I've ever met. When you ask for help, you do receive it in this state.' Though Hanlon is confident that fundraising will turn the party's finances around, there's no guarantee they'll receive the support they need. Based on current finances, Case estimated that the party will sustain a $24,478 loss by the end of this calendar year. 'We're about to hit the ground running with fundraising,' Hanlon said. 'I think that it shows really kind of how scrappy and committed that we are. Yeah, we're running out of a bare-bones budget right now, but we're still out there in the community. We're still out there in elections, and I think that just walking the walk is going to have people coming back and coming back with more support.' If the party can't fundraise enough to maintain its current spending, some major cuts will have to be made, though Hanlon said they have yet to have those conversations, mainly because new leadership is only a few days into their terms. 'I don't think it's any secret that the Democratic Party in Wyoming struggles to fundraise or struggles to be organized,' Evans said. 'It's just the nature of where we're at.' Evans added that, due to party perception, it is likely that people will be hesitant to donate to Democrats, even if they agree with Democrats in principle. Particularly, Evans suspects the party will struggle to garner donations from individuals with limited expendable income who have to be very conscious of where they put their money right now. 'I think they think there's much better use of their money than party politics,' Evans said. 'They'd be giving the Habitat for Humanity, for instance, if they care about housing or they care about housing prices within our community. … I think people see other organizations doing work that is aligned with their values, and they feel that those organizations are going to be more effective.' Though Hanlon was willing to discuss the budget with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, a report from Cowboy State Daily indicated that other party members were not comfortable with the press having access to the budget sheet. Cowboy State Daily was present at the Sunday meeting, which prompted the committee to pass a motion formally requesting the outlet not to air its budget publicly to protect political strategies and out of courtesy to employees, whose salaries are included in the budget. Still hopeful Though there are clear criticisms of the party and major barriers to regaining influence in the state, many Democrats have hope that with diligent work they can get there, including Hanlon and Snyder. Though he found minimal success in his attempts, and claims to be no expert in the path forward, Evans said there is a way to get back on the ballot in a legitimate way. 'I think the way is to just show up,' Evans said. 'Show up at the union halls, which (Snyder) is doing, show up at the town halls, which (Hanlon) is doing. Show up, be a volunteer, and don't just do it to be seen. Do it because you care. I think it's a long, slow process, but eventually, those things will bear fruit.'