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Freakonomics Radio

564. How to Succeed at Failing, Part 4: Extreme Resiliency

Nov 2, 2023
Gary Klein, a cognitive psychologist known for his pioneering work in decision-making, and Theresa MacPhail, a medical anthropologist studying pandemic preparedness, dig into the art of learning from failure. They discuss the innovative premortem technique for anticipating issues within teams. Additionally, they explore the cultural shift needed to embrace failure in education and startups, and how resilience can be built through open discussions about mistakes. The conversation highlights that facing challenges head-on leads to growth and unexpected opportunities.
52:00

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Quick takeaways

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly prevalent and deadly infectious disease, requiring more attention and funding to combat its impact on developing countries.
  • The concept of a premortem, imagining a project's failure, fosters a culture of innovation and helps identify potential issues in decision-making.

Deep dives

TB: The Deadliest Infectious Disease

Tuberculosis (TB) has been the leading infectious disease killer in the world for the past few decades, taking the lives of approximately 1.5 million people annually. Despite its prevalence, TB receives less attention and funding compared to other diseases. Babak Javed, a physician scientist, studies TB and highlights the social injustice and impact it has on developing countries. While a vaccine and antibiotics exist for TB, treatment can be complex and lengthy. Javed's research focuses on the concept of adaptive mistranslation, where mistakes made during protein synthesis in TB bacteria can actually make them more resilient and innovative.

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