"長い間それが間違っていると考えない習慣はそれを正しいように見せかける"

It's funny how our brains work, isn't it? When we do something over and over, it starts to feel normal, even if it’s not right. That’s what this quote is getting at. Over time, we can get so used to doing things a certain way that we stop questioning if it's the best or even the right way to do it. This can make things that are actually wrong seem okay just because they’ve been that way for a long time.

Now, let’s think about why someone would say this. Imagine a time when society had a lot of unjust norms—maybe something like segregation in the United States. For many years, people went along with it because it was the status quo. It’s not that individuals were born thinking it was right, but they were raised in a society where it was the norm, so they didn’t always question it. This quote highlights the danger in that. Just because something has been done for a long time doesn't make it right.

Consider this: Have you ever worked in a place where things were just done a certain way, and nobody really questioned it? Think about office environments prioritizing hours worked over the quality of work. Everyone’s chained to their desks from 9 to 5, even if they finish their tasks early. Over time, this becomes "normal"—no one questions if it’s efficient or if it’s even the best way to motivate people. It’s just the way it is. That’s a perfect example of how a long habit can make something seem right when it might not be.

So, how do we apply this wisdom in real life? Start by questioning routines and norms in your own life. Just because something is a habit doesn’t make it right or efficient. Ask yourself, “Why do we do it this way?” and “Is there a better way?” This kind of critical thinking can lead to improvements and prevent you from blindly following outdated practices.

Imagine you’re part of a team that's been working on a project using the same outdated software for years. Nobody has thought to change it because it’s familiar, and the team is used to it. But what if a new team member suggests a modern tool that can do the job faster and better? Initially, the idea might be met with resistance because everyone’s comfortable with the old way. But by questioning the status quo, the team might discover a more efficient method, ultimately benefiting everyone.

A relatable story? Alright, picture this: You’re at your grandma’s house, and she’s making her famous apple pie. She cuts off the ends of the dough before baking it. You ask her why, and she shrugs, saying it’s how her mother did it. Curious, you dig deeper and find out that your great-grandmother cut the dough because her oven was too small for the full pie. It’s a perfect example of how something can seem right just because it’s been done that way for so long—even if the original reason for doing it no longer exists!

So next time you find yourself mindlessly following a routine or accepting something just because "that's how it’s always been," take a step back. Question it. Challenge it. You might find a better way or at least understand why things are done the way they are. And isn’t that kind of curiosity what keeps us moving forward?