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Nobody ever gets credit for fixing problems that never happened (2001) [pdf]

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Re: Nobody ever gets credit for fixing problems that never happened (2001) [pdf]

#6

Post by NovemberWhiskey »

Another variation on the problem is the over-allocation of resources to preventing problems which actually happened once, versus those that are more severe but haven't happened yet.

This is a management problem, because no-one wants to be accountable for a repeat incident even if it was rational to be working on something else more important.

Re: Nobody ever gets credit for fixing problems that never happened (2001) [pdf]

#8

Post by gumby »

ghaff wrote: post #3

In about that same timeframe, Y2K is also really good example. Nothing of note really happened. But if people had just ignored it a lot of things probably would have.

This is a very important case. There was an enormous investment in fixing Y2K, starting long before the day in question (e.g. financial instruments with expiration dates after Y2K had to be fixed before they became due), so on the day there was only a smattering of minor residual bugs.

There were a few jokes about it in the newspapers but by and large the public just ignored it.

I work on climate and hope / hoped that the same would happen, but it's looking like it will soon get everybody's attention regardless.

Re: Nobody ever gets credit for fixing problems that never happened (2001) [pdf]

#9

Post by thfuran »

NovemberWhiskey wrote: post #6

Another variation on the problem is the over-allocation of resources to preventing problems which actually happened once, versus those that are more severe but haven't happened yet. This is a management problem, because no-one wants to be accountable for a repeat incident even if it was rational to be working on something else more important.

There's a ton of reactionary legislation on the books that exists pretty much entirely because politicians wanted to be seen doing something. It's mostly crap.

Re: Nobody ever gets credit for fixing problems that never happened (2001) [pdf]

#10

Post by _yb2s »

ghaff wrote: post #3

In about that same timeframe, Y2K is also really good example. Nothing of note really happened. But if people had just ignored it a lot of things probably would have.

What, what do you mean nothing happened? I'm in my underground bunker, do you think it would be safe to come out and look around?

You guys are all in your Y2K underground bunkers still, right?

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