Catastrophic Failures of Human Thinking

(Please Add Your Own)

American Civil War(or founding our country on slavery, for that matter)

• Still trying to beat that body count…

WWI & WWII• Remember these were the smartest, best educated countries in their

eras… 10s of millions dead…”good job that…(as Eddy Izzard would say)

Thermonuclear Bombs• …let’s see, go with me here….something that can, like, ah…destroy life on earth – totally…

cool! Let’s build it!! Of course, we’ll only use it for “peaceful” destruction of life as we know it…OK,OK we’ll make them “tactical” so like only a little, teensy, tiny, little area will be annihilated – like a big flash’ blub, how’s that…OK, OK how’s this we’ll make like “free” power…that’s the ticket…what did you say – Oops!!!?

The Styrofoam Coffee Cup and Plastic Shopping Bag

• So something for trivial, “disposable” uses that will remain in the environment for like – eternity………how cool is that??!!

Sub-Prime Investment Derivatives• Brought to you, no less, then by the smartest, best educated, Ivy League, Bschool, hi IQ (and

grades and board scores remember) folks that the most money could buy. Along with the best technology and risk-management systems. Put them all together on Wall Street and in Charlotte and whammo!! Could they possibly have done worse? Couldn’t have happened to a nicer, more deserving groups of caring people. Let’s not count allthe attorneys, accounts, academics, journalists and regulators that (somehow) completely missed this as well.

Will The Hits Keep Coming?

• Oh, yeah…but you know:– A little more thinking about it– A lot more money– More technology (our savior)– More education– More taxpayer money (of course)…and we’ve got it whipped, home free, no

problemo…excuse me, is it getting warm in here…