Why Good Intentions Still Lead to Bad Outcomes
Good intentions fail when they ignore unintended consequences, systemic effects, and how systems adapt. Wanting good outcomes doesn't guarantee them.
February 2026
Ethics in Complex Systems Explained
Complex systems create ethical challenges because actions have unpredictable ripple effects. Helping one part can harm another unexpectedly.
January 2026
Why Fixes Often Backfire
Fixes backfire when they address symptoms instead of root causes, create new problems through unintended consequences, or shift problems elsewhere.
July 2025
Systems Fixes That Made Things Worse
Garbage piled in Naples created health crisis from quick fixes. Rent control reduced housing supply. Antibiotic overuse created resistant bacteria.
November 2024
Chesterton's Fence: Why You Should Understand Before You Change
Chesterton's Fence: don't remove what you don't understand. From Mao's sparrow campaign that killed millions to Glass-Steagall's repeal causing the...
May 2023
What Is the Cobra Effect: When Solutions Make Problems Worse
The cobra effect occurs when an incentive designed to fix a problem makes it worse. Learn the origin story, Goodhart's Law connection, and how to...
July 2022
What Is the Cobra Problem in Policy: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes
Well-meaning policies often produce the opposite of their intended effect. Learn about unintended consequences, Merton's typology, and famous...