8 November 2001 - complexity

< yesterday -- tomorrow >

Human systems fall into three categories:

1. excessively complex - (VCRs, most computer programs) Designed by an expert.

2. incomprehensibly complex - (the tax laws, computer operating systems) Designed by a committee of experts.

3. functional - (rain gutters, committees of experts) Dependent on duct tape.

the Daily Whale || copyright 2001, 2024 Jay J.P. Scott <jay@satirist.org>