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To escape the cycle of tragedy, we (searchers) have to be tough on the ideas of the planners, even while we salute their goodwill.
William Easterly
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of critically assessing well-intentioned plans to prevent recurring failures.

William Easterly suggests that to break free from repeated failures, we must rigorously evaluate the concepts proposed by planners, acknowledging their good intentions while maintaining a critical stance. This balance between appreciation and scrutiny is essential for effective progress and to avoid falling into the same patterns of tragedy.

Themes

TragedyPlanningCritical ThinkingGoodwillEvaluation

In practice

Example use cases

During a workshop on social reforms, this quote could be used to stress the need for rigorous assessment of proposed policies.

More from William Easterly

The rich have markets, the poor have bureaucrats.
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