A source of unintended consequences is error. But where do errors come from? What kinds of errors are there? What can we do to minimize exposure to error?
Systems for Spreading
Both religion and disease rely on certain patterns of human behavior to extend their reach.
Both religion and disease rely on certain patterns of human behavior to extend their reach.
Eradication’s Good Intentions
Our approach to mosquitoes and the diseases they spread shows how little we understand about both.
Our approach to mosquitoes and the diseases they spread shows how little we understand about both.
Acquiring Ignorance
Exploring the different facets of ignorance in our lives and our world, and what to do about it.
Exploring the different facets of ignorance in our lives and our world, and what to do about it.
Under a Spell – the Armistice at 100
A look at what enduring technologies and strategies WWI gave an opportunity to arise.
A look at what enduring technologies and strategies WWI gave an opportunity to arise.
A City Too Familiar – the Spread of Disease
Let’s look into how disease impacts us with unintended consequences.
Let’s look into how disease impacts us with unintended consequences.
Destructive Collection
Some destruction is accidental. Some is intentional. Destruction works in different ways. And for different reasons.
Some destruction is accidental. Some is intentional. Destruction works in different ways. And for different reasons.
Food Follows Function
Second-order effects are everywhere — even in the choice of what we eat.
Second-order effects are everywhere — even in the choice of what we eat.
Coronavirus Cocktail, Catalyst, and Closeout
How did we get here? And where might we go?
How did we get here? And where might we go?
Food From Thought
Examples of top-down decisions that changed food supplies (and more) in unexpected ways. Results include mass starvation, possibly the plague, and warehouses of moldy cheese.
Examples of top-down decisions that changed food supplies (and more) in unexpected ways. Results include mass starvation, possibly the plague, and warehouses of moldy cheese.
The Kudzu Effect
How did this plant move from being a solution to a problem?
How did this plant move from being a solution to a problem?
The Self-Defeating Prophecy (And How It Works)
One less discussed type of unintended consequence is the “self-defeating prophecy,” or “self-negating prediction,” where the existence of a prediction or belief ultimately leads to the opposite of what is expected.
One less discussed type of unintended consequence is the “self-defeating prophecy,” or “self-negating prediction,” where the existence of a prediction or belief ultimately leads to the opposite of what is expected.
Importing Risk and Risky Regulations
More recently, governments developed environmental protection regulations to protect endangered species. These regulations have had second-order effects.
More recently, governments developed environmental protection regulations to protect endangered species. These regulations have had second-order effects.
Don’t Touch Anything: The Unintended Consequences of Environmental Ecosystems
Intentional introduction of species for food. Rabbits in Australia. Feral pigs in the Americas. Unintended consequences abound.
Intentional introduction of species for food. Rabbits in Australia. Feral pigs in the Americas. Unintended consequences abound.
Substitutions – the Temperance Movement and Ether
Unintended consequences come about when a change, believed to improve the current situation, actually makes the situation worse. That these changes are often well-meaning only adds to the irony of second-order effects.
Unintended consequences come about when a change, believed to improve the current situation, actually makes the situation worse.
Autonomous Vehicles and Organ Donations
A lot has been written about this, but I have come to the opposite conclusion than most writers.
A lot has been written about this, but I have come to the opposite conclusion than most writers.