I would draw a distinction between what I might call “strategic incrementalism” — purposefully deciding to proceed in small steps to hold together a wobbly alliance, for example — and incrementalism that is imposed by external conditions.

(Which probably puts me on the verge of a “Son, you don’t know the difference between a strategy and a tactic” rebuttal. Duly noted.)

There are definitely some contradictions that will emerge in trying to apply the tactics above. I came close to making the sixteenth item on the list: don’t worry about consistency.

Consistency is essential for mathematical proofs. Change and creativity happen in the squish of history and culture and incalculably complex human interactions. That’s one of the reasons why it is so fun!

And then there’s Emerson:

“With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day.”

A pretty good prescription for blogging, I’d say.