Simple Fix: Yes or No The solution to serious problems can be extremely simple. In SuperFreakonomics, the authors, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, present the idea that while simple fixes can solve complicated problems, they can also lead to some unintended consequences. Although analyzing all aspects of a problem before coming up with a solution is the preferred method, there are some exceptions where simple fixes are more effective because of time management. People tend to overthink the solution to serious problems or disasters. They should consider simple fixes as one of their ways to approach to a problematic situation. Levitt and Dubner claim, “In a prosperous world, single and cheap fixes sometimes get [a] bad rap; we are here to …show more content…
For example, Robert Strange McNamara, the much-maligned secretary of defense during the Vietnam War, brought up the issue of individuals being injured in car accidents. He claims, “Rather than worrying about what a passenger’s head would hit when he was flung about during an accident, wouldn’t be better to keep him from being flung at all” (148). By this, he means people should not overthink this problem. Instead of considering all aspects before coming up with a solution, such as changing the material of the car, automobile manufactures should make an easy change, applying seatbelts to cars as the airplanes have had. However, in many individuals’ opinions, simple fixes such as the one that being mentioned above are not the preferred method because they do not take all aspects into consideration, which incur people to have a negative feeling. For instance, some people are impervious, which they refused the innovation of wearing seatbelts, because they believed that wearing seatbelts is a sight of questioning the driver’s driving ability. Simple fixes might not take human behavior as a considering factor to fix issues, which lead the people to worry whether or not easy fixes are efficient. Although uncomplicated fixes might have a higher possibility to cause unintended issues, it has been proven that simple fixes are more effective because they are less time
The essay, “The Problem with New Data”, is written by Jon Carroll. In this essay he talks about the human behavior and how humans react differently with others. He explains how humans change their decisions quickly because they are weak. The purpose of this essay is to analyze how humans change their behavior toward certain things. Carroll argues that people belief and government pressure are the main reasons why people do not change their psychology and the way they think. Carroll points out these key points because these are the major issues of our society and what most people are having a hard time dealing with. He argues on the thinking and weaknesses of people and why they do not want to change those things.
In conclusion, there are obviously good and bad solutions in life, including ones in the texts from this section of our text book. First of all, in the text Shooting an Elephant, by George Orwell, the speaker, Orwell, makes the solution of shooting a crazy elephant in order to not look weak or foolish. In addition, in the text No Witchcraft for Sale, by Doris Lessing, the character Gideon’s solution to his problem is to send the wanting scientists on a wild goose chase to find the plant that he used to heal the little boy Teddy’s eyes from snake venom. Although both may not be perfect solutions to their problems, the better of the two would obviously be Gideon’s solution.
To achieve win-win outcomes, it is essential to separate the people from the problem. Thus, it is important to "Face the problem, not the people. The basic approach is to deal with the people as human beings and with the problem on its merits" (Fisher,Ury & Patton,1991, p.40-41).
The situations of technological flaws he chose as his examples added integrity to his arguments as well as proved his thesis. The author was skilled at explaining these examples profusely, thus further educating the readers and making them aware of how innovation can turn horribly wrong. One of Suzuki’s significant examples was the use of the DDT insecticide. The sole purpose of this chemical compound’s use was to kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes in hope of saving lives of those living in tropical climate countries. Although DDT did assist many, its use created more harm and damage than good. Evidently, that was not the goal of this insecticide; it was created to be helpful and to provide in a difficult circumstance. However, its side effects unmistakably cancel out any beneficial aspects it might have had. This example clearly illustrates the negative impacts technology has had on humanity. Another example Suzuki decided to put forth is the use of the oral contraceptive. Many overlook issues technology creates; they are too preoccupied with the benefits, it is all anyone can see! The oral contraceptive has undoubtedly helped countless women worldwide. However, as the author states in his essay, “ It was only after millions of healthy, normal women had taken the pill for years that epidemiologists could see negative effects. No amount of pretesting could have
... If people are secure and happy with their lives it is harder to precipitate change than if they are afflicted.
Crone, J. (2011) How Can We Solve Our Social Problems? (2nd ed.), Los Angeles, CA: Sage
Wilson and Kelling argued that if a window in a factory or an office was broken and was not repaired immediately, people who pass through there would conclude that no one cared about that locality. In other words, the people would believe that there is no responsible
These phases may change people’s perspectives on how they will approach certain situations. It would help if everyone could apply these phases in their daily lives because it would eliminate tough situations where there is no time to think. Wheelwright gives his readers a better understanding of what an ethical person should think like. In Gig, Thomas uses two out of wheelwright’s phases, but even then he still wasn’t satisfied with the result. It all depends if these phases are applied in our lives correctly. They may not work one hundred percent correctly, but they will help make our lives a little easier.
This is the real-time application of the age old canard, “There is no problem that we cannot solve together.”, and thus, the heart of this principle. There may be setbacks, but there is absolutely no unfixable problem. Missteps are always learning devices and life-training tools. This attitude is invaluable. This idea is not just important in Creative Followership, but is a theme emphasized in every work ever written by powerful leaders dating back to the writings of the Roman general and emperor Marcus Aurelius.
People sometimes make careless and uninformed decisions. Most times, people feel rushed into making decisions without thinking it through completely. I feel the main issue is that they don’t define their problem or identify what they are trying to decide. People may also forget to look at all their choices when deciding. Not going through the decision making process, people can make careless and uninformed choices.
However, Carr and Turkle both agree that technology has done good, but it has come at the cost of our ability to think critically. In the two articles, both authors heavily emphasize the negative effects of computer technology on how it is diminishing human cognition and the ability to process information.
They cannot be fulfilled in their work if their success depends on the opinions or whims of another person, no matter how benevolent that person may be. Without a tangible means of assessing success or failure, motivation eventually deteriorates as people see themselves as unable to control their own fate,” (Lencioni, 2007, p. 222).
This brings us to what to change. If the undesirable effects lead to the root cause, then the root cause must lead to the undesirable effects, therefore "brought on by the root cause itself", Taylor (2003). The resultant current reality tree brings us to the proces...
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefor, all progress depends on the unreasonable man” (George Bernard Shaw)
A special ignorance within the assumption that “imperfections” should or can be designed out of existence. Imperfections are a crucial part of what makes us creative and ethically responsible in the first place. “Blinded by the awesome of our tools, we might forget that some problems and imperfections are just normal costs of accepting the social contract of living with other human beings, treating them with dignity, and ensuring that, in our recent pursuit of a perfect society we do not shut off the door to change.”