Letters to a Young Contrarian (Art of Mentoring)

1. Embrace dissent and independent thinking as vital to human progress

The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.

Challenge conventional wisdom. Independent thinking is crucial for social and intellectual progress. It involves questioning established norms, critically examining popular beliefs, and forming one's own conclusions based on evidence and reason. This mindset allows for the discovery of new ideas and the correction of societal errors.

Cultivate intellectual courage. Embracing dissent often requires standing against the majority opinion, which can be uncomfortable and even risky. However, history shows that many significant advancements in human rights, scientific understanding, and social justice have come from individuals willing to challenge the status quo. Examples include:

• Galileo's defense of heliocentrism
• Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights activism
• Emile Zola's defense of Alfred Dreyfus

2. Question authority and challenge popular opinions

To be in opposition is not to be a nihilist. And there is no decent or charted way of making a living at it. It is something you are, and not something you do.

Develop critical faculties. Questioning authority does not mean rejecting all established knowledge, but rather developing the ability to evaluate claims and decisions critically. This involves:

• Examining the evidence supporting authoritative statements
• Considering alternative viewpoints and explanations
• Recognizing potential biases and conflicts of interest

Embrace intellectual honesty. Challenging popular opinions requires a commitment to truth-seeking over social acceptance. This may involve:

• Acknowledging when you're wrong and changing your views
• Defending unpopular but well-supported ideas
• Resisting the temptation to conform for the sake of harmony

3. Cultivate skepticism and critical thinking skills

Try your hardest to combat atrophy and routine. To question The Obvious and the given is an essential element of the maxim de omnius dubitandum.

Develop analytical skills. Critical thinking involves systematically evaluating information and arguments. Key components include:

• Identifying logical fallacies and rhetorical tricks
• Assessing the quality and reliability of evidence
• Recognizing one's own biases and preconceptions

Practice intellectual humility. Skepticism should be balanced with openness to new ideas and the possibility of being wrong. This involves:

• Regularly reassessing your own beliefs and assumptions
• Engaging in respectful dialogue with those who disagree
• Seeking out diverse perspectives and sources of information

4. Recognize the dangers of tribalism and identity politics

Beware of identity politics. I'll re-phrase that: have nothing to do with identity politics.

Avoid group-think. Tribalism and identity politics can lead to intellectual stagnation and social division. They often:

• Prioritize group loyalty over truth-seeking
• Encourage oversimplification of complex issues
• Foster an "us vs. them" mentality that hinders cooperation

Embrace individuality. Instead of defining oneself primarily through group affiliations, focus on:

• Developing unique perspectives and skills
• Judging ideas and people on their merits, not their group identity
• Building connections across social and cultural boundaries

5. Harness the power of humor and irony in challenging the status quo

Humor ought to be pointed—ought to preserve its relationship to wit—and it ought to be fearless.

Use wit as a weapon. Humor can be a powerful tool for exposing absurdity and challenging authority. Effective satirical humor:

• Reveals uncomfortable truths in a palatable form
• Disarms opponents and builds rapport with audiences
• Provides catharsis in difficult situations

Balance humor with seriousness. While humor is valuable, it's important to know when to be serious:

• Use humor to illuminate issues, not trivialize them
• Recognize that some topics require gravity and respect
• Be prepared to back up humorous critiques with substantive arguments

6. Engage with global perspectives through travel and cultural exchange

I want to urge you very strongly to travel as much as you can, and to evolve yourself as an internationalist. It's as important a part of your education as a radical as the reading of any book.

Broaden your worldview. Travel and cultural exchange provide invaluable opportunities to:

• Challenge your assumptions and preconceptions
• Develop empathy and understanding for diverse perspectives
• Gain firsthand knowledge of global issues and cultures

Apply global insights locally. Use the knowledge and perspectives gained through travel to:

• Identify universal human experiences and values
• Recognize and challenge provincial thinking in your own community
• Advocate for more inclusive and globally-minded policies

7. Persist in advocating for justice, even when facing indifference or opposition

So I decided to become a bore. I would insist on mentioning the case whenever I wrote about the governor (who did succeed in becoming president, and who didn't disappoint me) and I banged on about it whenever I was interviewed on radio and TV, or whenever I was asked for my views by a correspondent of any overseas news organisation.

Develop tenacity. Advocating for justice often requires persistent effort in the face of apathy or resistance. This involves:

• Maintaining focus on long-term goals despite short-term setbacks
• Finding creative ways to keep important issues in the public eye
• Building networks of support and solidarity with like-minded individuals

Balance persistence with strategy. While persistence is crucial, it's important to:

• Vary tactics and approaches to avoid burnout and maintain effectiveness
• Recognize when to shift focus or change strategies
• Celebrate small victories and incremental progress

8. Balance passion with reason in pursuit of social change

I'm a partisan of the pro-wit radical faction myself, and that's why I so much admire Oscar Wilde (who was heading for exile and death in France at about the time that Zola was crossing the Channel in the other direction to escape his own persecutors).

Harness emotional energy. Passion is a powerful motivator for social change, but it must be tempered with reason:

• Use emotional appeals to inspire and mobilize others
• Ground passionate arguments in factual evidence and logical reasoning
• Recognize when emotions might be clouding judgment

Cultivate intellectual rigor. Effective advocacy requires a solid foundation of knowledge and critical thinking:

• Thoroughly research issues and understand opposing viewpoints
• Develop well-reasoned arguments that can withstand scrutiny
• Be willing to revise positions in light of new evidence or arguments

9. Understand the complexities of political ideologies and their evolution

I still find that the materialist conception of history has not been surpassed as a means of analysing matters; I still think that there are opposing class interests; I still think that monopoly capitalism can and should be distinguished from the free market and that it has certain fatal tendencies in both the short and long term.

Study political history. Understanding the evolution of political ideologies provides valuable context for current debates:

• Examine the historical roots of different political philosophies
• Recognize how ideologies have adapted to changing circumstances
• Identify recurring patterns and themes in political thought

Embrace nuance. Avoid simplistic categorizations and recognize the complexities of political reality:

• Acknowledge strengths and weaknesses in various ideological positions
• Seek common ground and areas of potential compromise
• Remain open to new ideas and synthesis of different perspectives

10. Develop resilience in the face of adversity and setbacks

Dante was a sectarian and a mystic but he was right to reserve one of the fieriest corners of his inferno for those who, in a time of moral crisis, try to stay neutral.

Cultivate mental toughness. Advocacy and dissent often involve facing rejection, criticism, and even persecution:

• Develop strategies for coping with stress and disappointment
• Build a support network of like-minded individuals
• Find inspiration in historical examples of resilience and perseverance

Maintain perspective. Remember that social change is often a long-term process:

• Focus on incremental progress rather than immediate transformation
• Learn from setbacks and use them to refine strategies
• Recognize that even small actions can contribute to larger movements

Last updated: August 12, 2024