In a hurry? TL;DR
- 1Expect new ideas to be met with ridicule as a natural first reaction, not a sign of failure.
- 2Recognize that initial resistance to change often precedes eventual, quiet acceptance.
- 3Understand that critics who initially dismiss an idea may later claim they always supported it.
- 4Anticipate that strong opponents of new systems often become loyal users once the novelty fades.
- 5View the transition from disbelief to acceptance of the impossible as a predictable evolution of belief.
- 6Remember that public belief shifts from skepticism to familiarity and perceived obviousness over time.
Why It Matters
It's fascinating how, in true British fashion, new ideas often face polite disbelief before suddenly becoming accepted as obvious.
Frances Hodgson Burnett’s observation captures the predictable cycle of human cynicism, moving from outright dismissal to sudden, quiet acceptance of the impossible. It serves as a reminder that the loudest critics of a new idea are often the first to claim they knew it would work all along.
TL;DR
- Innovation follows a three-stage psychological pattern: ridicule, resistance, and eventual obviousness.
- The quote originates from The Secret Garden, referencing the literal and metaphorical growth of a hidden world.
- It highlights the Lindy Effect, where survived ideas eventually become part of the foundational landscape.
Why It Matters
Understanding this cycle prevents innovators from mistaking initial rejection for objective failure.
The predictable evolution of belief
The quote appears in Burnett’s 1911 masterpiece, The Secret Garden. While ostensibly a children’s book, this specific passage dissects the stubborn nature of the adult ego. Burnett suggests that we do not simply learn; we undergo a face-saving transition where we pretend our newfound knowledge was always there.
Psychologically, this reflects what Schopenhauer described as the three stages of truth. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Burnett’s version is softer but no less biting. She identifies the human tendency to move the goalposts of reality to avoid admitting we were wrong.
Unlike clinical psychological studies, Burnett’s observation focuses on the feeling of the shift. In contrast to the scientific method, which demands rigorous proof, public belief operates on a scale of familiarity. Once a strange new thing becomes visible, the mystery evaporates, and the sceptic’s memory conveniently fades.
About the Author
Historical Context: The 1911 shift
When The Secret Garden was published in 1911, the world was on the brink of massive technological and social upheaval. Aviation was a fledgling curiosity and women’s suffrage was a divisive battle. Burnett’s writing captured a society that was constantly being forced to move from refusal to reluctant acceptance.
Practical Applications
- Resilience in Launching: Anticipate the refusal stage as a natural part of the product lifecycle rather than a flaw in the idea.
- Managing Change: When introducing new systems at work, realise that the strongest opponents will likely become the most loyal users once the newness wears off.
- Personal Growth: Recognise your own instinctive rejection of strange ideas as a defensive reflex rather than a logical conclusion.
Interesting Connections
- The Semmelweis Reflex: Named after Ignaz Semmelweis, the physician who discovered that hand-washing saved lives but was mocked for it for decades.
- Etymology of Strange: Originating from the Old French estrange, meaning foreign or external. We fear what is outside our current mental borders.
- Thomas Kuhn’s Paradigm Shift: The scientific version of Burnett’s quote found in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
Where does this quote appear?
It is found in the final chapter of The Secret Garden (1911), used to describe the blooming of the garden and the recovery of the characters.
Did Burnett believe in magic?
She was interested in Christian Science and New Thought, which argued that mental states could influence physical reality, a theme central to the quote.
Who else expressed this sentiment?
Arthur C. Clarke famously echoed this with his laws of prediction, stating that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Key Takeaways
- Skepticism is often a temporary shield against the discomfort of new information.
- The transition from strange to obvious is the standard trajectory of all progress.
- Success is often just surviving the period where everyone refuses to believe you.
Learn more about the psychology of Confirmation Bias, the history of Paradigm Shifts, and the Lindy Effect.
Historical Context
This insightful observation originates from Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 classic, "The Secret Garden". While known as a children's novel, the book explores profound themes of human nature and societal attitudes. The quote reflects on the typical human response to novel or seemingly impossible ideas. It captures the initial disbelief and resistance, often rooted in a lack of imagination or an unwillingness to challenge existing paradigms, followed by a grudging, and sometimes self-serving, acceptance once the new concept or achievement becomes undeniable. This speaks to the broader historical context of human progress, where groundbreaking innovations are frequently met with scepticism before becoming commonplace.
Meaning & Interpretation
Burnett's quote describes a common pattern in how people react to new ideas or achievements. Initially, when confronted with something unprecedented or difficult, individuals often dismiss it as impossible or unrealistic. They 'refuse to believe it can be done.' This rejection can stem from fear of change, ingrained beliefs, or simply a lack of understanding. However, once the idea is successfully implemented or the achievement is realised, those same sceptics often shift their stance, recognising and accepting the new reality. The quote highlights the human tendency to move from initial outright denial to eventual, albeit sometimes reluctant, acceptance once irrefutable evidence is presented, often with the unstated implication that they somehow knew it was possible all along.
When to Use This Quote
This quote is highly relevant when discussing resistance to innovation, new technologies, or radical social changes. It can be used to temper expectations when introducing a groundbreaking product or concept, reminding innovators that initial scepticism is a common hurdle. It's also apt for reflecting on historical moments where pioneering efforts were initially dismissed but later became widely accepted, such as early aviation or women's suffrage. Furthermore, it serves as an encouragement to persist in the face of naysayers, illustrating that if the 'strange new thing' truly works, acceptance will eventually follow, even from the most cynical observers.
