# Rules and Truth By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-10-08 I heard a quote from Derek Sivers: "Rules are useful, but not true." For those seeking progress, it is hard to overstate the importance of fully understanding this statement. First, rules are not true. They are arbitrary creations. Why we stand in line, raise our hand in class to speak, and defer to managerial authority is an arbitrary choice. There are infinitely many ways a productive society could be constructed, and the reason why one rule was selected over another has nothing to do with truth. Second, we only follow these rules because they are deemed useful. It is useful to have everyone stop at red lights. What makes a rule useful ebbs and flows over time, but one should always be aware of who benefits the most from the rule and who is hurt by the rule. Countless injustices have been committed due to rules that someone deems useful. Within America, slavery is often the most pointed example. So, when one encounters a rule, remember that it is arbitrary and exists only because someone deems it useful. Analyze whom it benefits, and consider whether one accepts the rule as more beneficial than harmful. Progress isn't about breaking the rules as much as it is about finding more useful ones in solidarity with others. #### Related Items [[Rules]] [[Truth]] [[Decision-making]] [[Progress]] [[Solidarity]]