The 20th Century writer G. K. Chesterton was a religious author who was best known for his series of mystery novels featuring the priest-detective Father Brown. Saying he was prolific is an understatement. He published multiple books a year, gave over 40 talks on BBC radio a year, was the president of the British society of mystery authors and even engaged in public debates with other authors. He is also known for the paradox of Chesterton’s Fence, which talks about change.
Chesterton’s Fence is:
In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.
While Chesterton describes it as a paradox, it’s really an innovation prerequisite. Simply put if you are seeking to change something, you need to understand why the process (or fence) was put in place. Because the process exists, that means someone took time to put it there. Which means that at one time there was a reason for the process. You, as an innovator, should be looking to determine what the original reason was.
Only after you determine the original reason, can you determine if it should be changed. It might be the original reason is no longer valid or that the original reason was always invalid. However, you might find that the original reason is still valid, but was not something you were aware of. This is why we should always make sure we understand the situation before suggesting changes. The first step on any change is to understand what you are trying to change.
Chesterton’s Fence is not meant to stop innovation or progress. The paradox Chesterton wrote about even says that after you research the reason for the fence, then you may destroy it. But Chesterton’s Fence is a necessary step in any change. Understand what you want to change before you change it.