Hanlon's Razor
James Kellerman
I am a big fan of Occam's Razor as a tool for examining events but I may have a new facourite Hanlon's Razor:
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
This popped up in reference to a news story about metal spikes that were found in the bottom of a Seattle pond. This sharp metal spikes had injured someone and the Internet went hysterical, terrorism, child molesters, end of the civilized world etc. It turns out these metal spikes were originally "U" shaped hooks used to hold down plastic sheeting installed by the parks department 20 years ago and the U portions had since rusted away leaving a spike.
Prizes should also be awarded for best press conference line by the Seattle Parks Department.
"I'm sorry it was us."