A philosophical “razor” is a mental model that seeks to “shave off” some facet of a possible explanation for some given situation or phenomenon. In our recent discussion about Occam’s Razor, we looked at eliminating complexity. Today’s concept seeks to eliminate a common assumption that many of us are known to make all too often and all too quickly.
In the words of Robert J. Hanlon:
“Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.“
The word “stupidity” may sound a bit harsh and might be better defined as ignorance or incompetence. Whatever the verbiage, Hanlon’s Razor is a powerful reminder that not everything that feels like a slight, a personal attack, or a deliberate attempt to frustrate you is actually done intentionally by others. Many times, people simply make mistakes, forget things, or (and this one is so easy to forget) are just dealing with their own internal and external struggles.
Have you ever been frustrated by a bandmate who seems unprepared? A monitor engineer who botches your in-ear mix? Or a songwriting collaborator who ghosts you mid-project? As musicians, we encounter plenty of moments where things don’t go as planned. It’s easy (sometimes even natural) to let these moments fester, assuming others are out to sabotage our hard work. But here’s the truth: most of the time, people aren’t acting out of malice—they’re just human, like you and I, working through life with their own flaws and challenges.
Now I am not saying that those mishaps should be ignored entirely, and that they should not be addressed and/or dealt with. On the contrary, in most cases there are indeed still issues at play which need to be handled. The key here is to think clearly and make sure that the correct issue is being handled.
Enter Hanlon’s Razor, a mental model that can save your energy, your relationships, and maybe even your sanity.
It’s a reminder to give people the benefit of the doubt. Most mistakes aren’t deliberate; they’re just mistakes. Whether someone spaced a rehearsal, flubbed your new tune, or offered feedback that rubbed you the wrong way, Hanlon’s Razor encourages us to pause, breathe, and consider a more forgiving explanation.
For musicians, this principle can help maintain harmony—both on and off the stage. It’s a tool for fostering empathy, minimizing unnecessary drama, developing better relationships, and focusing on what really matters: the music.
Below are a number of various scenarios in your musical life where Hanlon’s Razor just might apply.
Band rehearsals? Apply the razor.
Your bandmate keeps showing up late or forgetting parts of the arrangement. Is it because they don’t care about the group or are bored with the music? Probably not.
Instead of jumping to conclusions, consider this: They might be overwhelmed at work or in other areas of life (who among us isn’t these days?)… or dealing with personal issues they haven’t shared about… or simply managing their time poorly.
Applying Hanlon’s Razor here means asking, “What else might be going on?” Perhaps the most useful approach to getting to the bottom of it all is to simply have an honest conversation with them. Instead of assuming the worst, ask how you can help. Open communication can resolve misunderstandings and strengthen your group dynamic.
ACTIONABLE IDEA:
Get organized and create shared resources (like a band calendar and rehearsal notes) so that everyone stays on the same page and can better prepare. Make sure that all band members are provided exact time expectations, up-to-date setlists, chord charts, and audio recordings of the songs you are all playing.
Critical feedback? Apply the razor.
An audience member, producer, or fellow musician gives you feedback that stings. Was it meant to tear you down? Probably not. It likely wasn’t personal in the slightest but we artistic types can easily take it that way––especially when it feels like someone is nitpicking your performance or your creative choices.
The key is found in remembering that most people give feedback to help, even if they don’t always express it kindly or clearly. Most criticism stems from a good place—an attempt to help or share a perspective that you may have overlooked. Even if their delivery isn’t perfect or gentle, applying Hanlon’s Razor can help you focus on the constructive side instead of taking it personally.
ACTIONABLE IDEA:
When receiving feedback, pause before reacting. Take a breath and––as difficult as it might feel in the moment––assume good intentions on their part. Ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?”
If the comment feels a bit harsh, respond to them with curiosity, seeking more clarity: “Thanks for the input. Could you explain what you mean?” Focus on any constructive elements instead of the tone they were presented in.
Social media? Apply the razor.
A follower leaves a cryptic comment on your post that seems rude or dismissive, and you’re unsure whether they’re trolling or just being awkward. Before you let it ruin your day or reach your finger for that BLOCK button, consider this: maybe they didn’t intend it that way.
Written communication nearly anywhere can already lack some tone and context. The text we read online can be worse than many other mediums in that regard. Now we’re talking social media? Oh wow, probably more than anywhere, intended tone just rarely translates. Many comments that seem rude to the reader might just be poorly worded by the original author.
Here’s a spot where “incompetence” or “ignorance” are terrific substitutes for “stupidity.” Perhaps the commenter doesn’t have strong skills conveying his/her thoughts in this sort of context. Or perhaps they are pretty oblivious to what that song they just disparaged was really written about.
Whatever the case, Hanlon’s Razor encourages you to assume one of these is the case, rather than immediately assume malicious intent. I mean, if we do ultimately find out that malice was behind it all from the start, that BLOCK button will still be there. Then, by all means, go ahead and smash that little bugger!
ACTIONABLE IDEAS:
- Reply with kindness or ask for clarification. A little mercy and tenderness in your response can defuse potential tension before it develops and demonstrate your professionalism. Turning what could have been a misunderstanding into a positive interaction might help both grow your fanbase and preserve your reputation.
- Just let it go and don’t even engage. I mean, who even really cares? You’re a creator, after all… your one job is to create. You shouldn’t even waste time giving a crap who does and doesn’t like your work––or you, for that matter. Go for a walk. Meditate. Pet your dog. Get inspired. Write your next song.
On the gig? Apply the razor.
The sound engineer forgets to turn on your monitor, or your in-ear mix is a complete disaster. But this is impossible, you think, we soundchecked everything! And this happens after the venue mixes up your time slot. Is this all just an attempt to sabotage your band, the local openers who didn’t bring enough fans out to the show? Highly unlikely. Mistakes happen, and the chaos of a live shows is full of ever-changing variables.
Instead of stewing in frustration, Hanlon’s Razor reminds us to focus on finding solutions rather than assigning blame.
ACTIONABLE IDEAS:
- Build a strong rapport with venue staff, which starts well before the day of the gig. Be super professional, communicate quickly and clearly, and be sure to confirm important details on multiple occasions before show time.
- Develop a quick checklist for soundchecks and/or arrange to bring your own FOH (Front of House) engineer to work alongside the venue’s engineer.
- Remember that, no matter what, things will still go wrong and people will still make mistakes. That just comes with the territory. Keep your cool, stay focused solely on making the best music possible, and have some patience. A little goes a long way.
Collaborations? Apply the razor.
You send audio files to someone recording some remote drum tracks for you. And… radio silence. [I’ve done this in the past.. oops. You know who you are. My sincerest apologies.]
Or you pass your new lyrics along to the bandmate who is supposed to write some chords for the song. And… crickets.
In both of the above cases, did the collaborators hate your work? Again, probably not.
People drop the ball for many reasons: poor time management, unexpected life events, and lack of organization all come to mind. Or perhaps they are struggling with their own creative blocks. I, for one, have been guilty of all four and more. Hanlon’s Razor encourages you to follow up kindly before assuming malice or disinterest or dislike.
ACTIONABLE IDEAS:
- If you are already in the midst of work with a collaborator when this happens, follow up politely, offering support or flexibility. Inquire if they need any clarification from you in any area, in order to move forward with the project. If they still don’t respond, move on without resentment.
2. If you are about to begin a project, politely but clearly set expectations and deadlines. Having a well-defined breakdown of dates and deliverables in place up front can help avoid future frustrations and make collaborations (musical and otherwise) run far more smoothly.
With yourself? Apply the razor.
Hanlon’s Razor isn’t just for how you view others—it applies to you, as well. If you miss a practice goal, or bomb a performance, or lose motivation to practice for a stretch of time, don’t jump to assuming that you’re lazy or not committed to your craft or career. This doesn’t have to be viewed as some sort of personal self-sabotage.
Like it or not, you, too, are human. Sometimes, things just don’t go as planned. Life happens.
The way through this is to give yourself grace rather than guilt. Use this as a time to reflect, recalibrate, and then move forward.
ACTIONABLE IDEA:
Keep a journal of wins, big and small, to remind your future self of your past progress and resilience. As for dealing with the recent challenge(s), treat yourself with compassion. Reflect on what went wrong, decide what action would bring a different outcome in the future, adjust your approach accordingly, and keep going.
Why It Matters
In the fast-paced, often high-pressure world of music, it’s easy to let small frustrations snowball into major grievances. Hanlon’s Razor reminds us that most conflicts aren’t personal—they’re just life happening. Viewing things through this new lens helps musicians save time, energy, and emotional bandwidth. By resisting the urge to assume malice, you can approach situations with empathy and a problem-solving mindset, keeping your focus on what’s important: growing as a player and making better music.
Do you have additional musical situations where this concept might apply? I’d love to hear how you’re simplifying your musical journey with this mental model. Share about it in a comment below.
Happy music making–
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