#758
Mentioned in 4 episodes
Normal Accidents
Living with High-Risk Technologies
Book • 1984
In 'Normal Accidents', Charles Perrow argues that accidents in complex and tightly coupled systems are inevitable and cannot be entirely prevented.
He identifies three key conditions that make a system susceptible to such accidents: complexity, tight coupling, and catastrophic potential.
Perrow uses case studies from various industries, including nuclear power plants, aviation, and chemical processing, to illustrate how multiple and unexpected failures can interact and lead to major accidents.
The book challenges the conventional engineering approach to safety and highlights the role of organizational and management factors in technological failures.
He identifies three key conditions that make a system susceptible to such accidents: complexity, tight coupling, and catastrophic potential.
Perrow uses case studies from various industries, including nuclear power plants, aviation, and chemical processing, to illustrate how multiple and unexpected failures can interact and lead to major accidents.
The book challenges the conventional engineering approach to safety and highlights the role of organizational and management factors in technological failures.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 4 episodes
Recommended by Tay from Swift on Security, applying its concepts to IT and security.
Cybersecurity Tales: Espionage, Ransomware, and the Stories Behind the Threats
Referenced as a key influence, his sociological perspective on system failures informed the discussion on complexity and accidents.
180 - Meltdown - Chris Clearfield
Mentioned by Dmitrys to provide context for the discussion on high reliability organizations.
11: Culture and High Reliability - Bierly and Spender (Part 1)
