The Standardization of Error

In my readings this past week I was recently introduced to the name Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879-1962), an Arctic explorer and ethnologist from Manitoba, Canada. He was also a writer of many books about the Arctic, the peoples of the arctic and even one on Greenland which made me wonder what he'd think about the attention it is getting from our current administration. The title which caught my eye, however, was this one from 1927, The Standardization of Error.  

In The Standardization of Error, Vilhjalmur Stefansson examines how mistaken ideas and practices can become widely accepted and perpetuated through tradition and authority. Drawing on his experiences as an explorer and anthropologist, Stefansson illustrates how errors can persist in science, diet, and cultural understanding when people prioritize established conventions over evidence or logic.

Stefansson critiques the reluctance of societies and experts to challenge outdated beliefs, emphasizing that such resistance can hinder progress and innovation. He uses examples from exploration, human health, and survival techniques, particularly in extreme environments, to show how "standardized errors" can lead to misconceptions with significant consequences.

The book is a reflection on the human tendency to cling to familiar but flawed ideas. The author urges readers to adopt a more critical and open-minded approach to knowledge and problem-solving. Stefansson’s insights remain relevant as they challenge readers to question accepted truths and seek out facts that align with reality, even when they contradict established norms.

Vilhjalmur Stefansson’s idea of the “standardization of error” is both simple and unsettling: a mistake, repeated often enough by respected voices, becomes accepted truth. Once institutionalized—through textbooks, professional training, and cultural habit—the error gains authority. Questioning it begins to feel like heresy. 

What makes standardized error so durable? Institutions reward conformity. Experts build careers on prevailing models. Textbooks lag behind new evidence. Social pressure discourages dissent. Over time, the error becomes invisible because it is woven into normal practice.

This is what is most disturbing about today's polarized culture war. We've lost the notion that truth is meant to be discovered, not created. Once you decide Truth is anything you want it to be, then it becomes shaped by the one who wields the most power.

For centuries it was believed that the earth was the center of the universe. Confidence in modern engineering lead the Titanic's owners to believe the great ship was unsinkable. For a while eggs were bad for us, till they weren't. Same with peanuts, and other foods that have gone in and out of favor. For my entire adult life we've been told we'll be out of oil in ten years. Seems to me we have more oil than ever. More disconcerting is when the media spins stories by omitting facts, or deliberately burying uncomfortable truths, or facts that don't fit a preconceived narrative. Or when politicians pander for votes by....

Maybe we're veering a tad here. Maybe not. What do you think?

Related 
Against the Idols of the Age: A Contrarian's Critique of the Twentieth Century