99% Invisible Cautionary Tales
Nov 19, 2019
Tim Harford, an economist and author known for his insights on decision-making, dives into the chaotic aftermath of the 2016 Academy Awards blunder. He unpacks how poor design choices and communication failures led to the 'La La Land' mix-up, emphasizing that safety systems can introduce new risks. Harford draws parallels to the financial chaos of AIG's collapse, illustrating how small decisions can lead to monumental consequences. Through engaging anecdotes, he highlights the vital lessons learned from these cautionary tales.
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Episode notes
Oscars Mix-Up
- Warren Beatty hesitated after opening the Best Picture envelope at the 2017 Oscars.
- Faye Dunaway then announced La La Land as the winner, instead of Moonlight.
Systemic Failure
- Blaming individuals like Brian Cullinan for the Oscars error is a common mistake.
- Flawed systems, not solely human error, often cause such failures.
Typography Matters
- Design clear visual hierarchies in important documents.
- The Oscars card's poor typography contributed to the confusion.
