Betribute

 Our language is limited by simplistic explanations that weaken our ability to navigate complexity.

While causal stories that start with the word because are an important part of our communication and helpful for forming judgments, these simple stories are often deceptively limited. Many explanations following the word ‘because’ reference just one factor - as if only one thing had caused the change. This is fine in situations where there is a simple one-factor cause (i.e. the rock caused the broken window). However, many situations involve several factors working together to contribute to the outcome, and our ability to work toward better outcomes would be stronger if we could recognize the difference between simple causation and complex contribution. For example, “They are poor because they aren’t working,” is a simplistic and morally charged single explanation that is inappropriate for the complex reality of poverty. It ignores a host of potentially contributing factors like physical or mental health, availability of job training, reliable transportation, and child care, and so on. 

Fortunately language can evolve to meet our needs, and I’d like to suggest a new word to express the layered reality of contributing factors in complex situations: betribute. Answering the question “Why are they poor?” with “Betribute they aren’t working,” is an inherently wider frame that opens the door to a more full understanding and wise response.