Overstate the Obvious

One should state the obvious for two reason. The first is that we keep forgetting or worse, decide to be wilfully blind to the truth and the second is that, what is obvious to us might be an epiphany for somebody else.

To begin with, I will elaborate on this issue with a math problem. For those smart alecs who do not see the point of math, you can skip this section and go to the part where I tie the rigor of math to everyday life.

I started to think about belaboring the obvious when helping out with highschool math. Mathematical proofs requires rigor and every step needs to be explained, however ‘obvious’ it might be. We were solving the following problem:

A is equal to B

A is equal to C

What can be said about B and C?

It seems obvious as day that B is the same C. When I asked for a reason that justifies ‘B equals C’, I was looked at as though I were drooling over my t-shirt. “What reason are you looking for? Of course, B equals C. There can be no other alternative,” was the typical response I got. I will humor this response and extend the inherent logic present here. Let’s reframe the problem:

A is e̶q̶u̶a̶l̶ ̶t̶o̶ friends with B

A is e̶q̶u̶a̶l̶ ̶t̶o̶ friends with C

What can be said about B and C?

Clearly, now that I have replaced the ‘equal to’ with ‘friends’, the assumed transitivity is not so obvious, is it now? A is friends with B and C. That does not imply that B is friends with C! We took the property of transitivity for granted when we were thinking about numbers. We are fortunate that numbers are so deeply entrenched in our culture that these once esoteric properties seem obvious to us. For those unware, the knowledge that ‘1+1 = 2’ required a 379 page long proof that took nearly a decade.

The rigor of mathematical proofs where we overstate the ‘obvious’ is required so that we take nothing for granted, not forget and not be wilfully blind to what is staring right back at us. This rigor ought to be present in our daily lives as well.

Organized religion understands the importance of laying down the rules and having people remember them. Bible studies, Sunday Church, the Commandments, daily prayers, asking devotees to remember verses; these are all examples of having people remember thier values and that there is plenty to be grateful for.

Similarly, when I first read the preamble to the Indian Constitution, I could not understand why it was written because the contents seemed so obvious. However, the preamble sets the guiding principles for what is to follow. I reckon that the purpose of the preamble is the same as setting the commandments in organized religion.

Ranging from anyone who writes code for themselves to behemoth organizations, all know how important it is to document everything, from the mundane to the magnificent. Because people take for granted, forget or miss what is right under their nose. There is no antidote to this besides stating the obvious, however tedious it might be.

How many times have we forgotten ourselves when in the throes of a bad relationship? We have our set of values and goals. How often do we forget who we are, forget our identity when trying to appease somebody else? During times like these, it is madatory to take a step back and remember who we are, i.e. overstate the obvious. Fortunately, we have reminders when we are drifting away from truth. Close friends, family and even our own emotions (especially anxiety) provide reminders that we need to take stock of ourselves and our surroundings. You can never overstate the obvious.

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