Hubris and Humility: What Will Future Generations Laugh At?

A note to young leaders. On hubris and humility.
A mere 200-years ago, we didn’t know that dinosaurs existed.

In 1900, heroin was included in many cough syrups. Morphine, opium, and cocaine were sold as over-the-counter medicines. As late as 1942, William Osler’s 14th edition of Principles and Practice of Medicine – historically the preeminent medical textbook – included bloodletting as a treatment for pneumonia.

Makes you wonder, what do we commonly believe today that will be universally ridiculed in 100 years’ time?

The history and laws of our universe are complex and vast compared with the minuscule capacities of the human mind. As impressive as we are as a species, we are less than 1% of the way to uncovering its mysteries.

The outcome of a good education should be to make us humble, not proud.