Name: The paradox of efficiency
Uploaded: 2019-12-10T20:49:49Z
Duration: 13 min 44 s
Description: Is our obsession with efficiency actually making us less efficient? In this revelatory talk, writer and historian Edward Tenner discusses the promises and dangers of our drive to get things done as quickly as possible -- and suggests seven ways we can use "inspired inefficiency" to be more productive.

Edward Tenner: The paradox of efficiency

The paradox of efficiency

Is our obsession with efficiency actually making us less efficient? In this revelatory talk, writer and historian Edward Tenner discusses the promises and dangers of our drive to get things done as quickly as possible -- and suggests seven ways we can use "inspired inefficiency" to be more productive.

Chasing greater efficiency can backfire, often making systems brittle or even less effective. The story of Ireland’s potato famine shows how a single-minded focus on efficiency—monoculture—led to disaster. Modern examples range from overloaded hospital alarms to software that overlooks future potential. Breakthroughs often happen when people welcome mistakes, redundancy, and serendipity into the creative process.

Inspired Inefficiency Unlocks True Progress Over Blind Optimization

*The Efficiency Paradox: What Big Data Can't Do*

"Efficiency Is Biting Back"

culture

technology

invention

history

work

society

productivity

manufacturing

TED Stage Talk