Reality doesn’t care about our social norms though

The real world doesn’t care about our social norms or what we tell ourselves — certain things are simply true. Telling the truth is often uncomfortable and risky, but it’s necessary for meaningful progress.

We take this truth for granted today, but in the 19th century, Ignaz Semmelweis was booed for urging doctors to wash their hands to prevent deadly infections. Staying silent might have been better for his career, but ultimately, standing by that truth benefited everyone — even impacting those of us alive today.

As Jeff says in an interview, accomplishing anything important — whether in business, sports, or humanitarian work — requires systems that nudge us toward truth — seeking. We don’t have to pretend it’s not uncomfortable or difficult; we just have to keep aspiring to it.