The Library of Mistakes EP 50: Shelf Life #10 The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Alice Sherwood & Paul Greatbatch)
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Jan 20, 2026 Paul Greatbatch, a former investment manager and organizer of the Weekend of Mistakes, teams up with Alice Sherwood, an author and researcher, to explore the fascinating concept of learning from past errors. They discuss the intricate themes of this year’s event, including economics of crime, debt history, and even the measuring of well-being through sessions with unique participants. Both share insights on the event's intimate format that fosters deep interactions, showcasing a diverse audience eager to learn about financial mistakes and their implications.
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Mistakes Reveal System Failures
- Mistakes are learning portals that reveal system failures rather than only individual blame.
- Russell Napier argues that studying mistakes lets us design systems to mitigate future errors.
Small Errors, Huge Consequences
- Small mistakes now have outsized consequences because of global interconnectedness.
- Napier highlights cyber hacks as examples where relatively small breaches brought major firms to their knees.
From Private Party To Public Festival
- Paul Greatbatch moved from a city investment career to Hay-on-Wye and offered to organise the Library of Mistakes' 10th birthday.
- A private weekend for friends snowballed into a public Weekend of Mistakes when tickets sold out quickly.
