In this episode, we explore the intricate world of modern technology with Samuel Arbesman, author of Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension.
Why did the New York Stock Exchange shut down in 2015? What caused Toyota vehicles to accelerate without warning? Samuel reveals how technological "accretion" and interconnected systems create outcomes that even developers, engineers, and executives can't predict.
We discuss:
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Why technology often evolves beyond human comprehension
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How "spaghetti code" and legacy systems create systemic risk
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The biological limits of human understanding
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Generalists vs. specialists in innovation
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The balance between intellectual humility and progress
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How we can better live with—and design—overcomplicated systems
This is a must-listen for leaders, technologists, and innovators navigating today's complex digital ecosystem.
🎙 Hosted by Aidan McCullen, keynote speaker on change and innovation.
💡 Sponsored by Kyndryl
Episode Notes / Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:19 Unsolved Mysteries in Technology
01:18 Guest Introduction: Samuel Arbesman
01:57 Overview of 'Overcomplicated'
03:25 Case Studies: Stock Exchange and Toyota
07:53 The Concept of Accretion
15:48 Complexity vs. Complication
26:49 Interoperability and Trade-offs
29:29 Systemic Failures and Interoperability
29:53 Open Source Software and Maintenance Challenges
32:00 Biological Limits of Human Comprehension
34:51 The Role of Technology in Understanding Complex Systems
40:52 The Burden of Knowledge and the Need for Generalists
50:53 Physics vs. Biological Thinking in Innovation
55:49 Final Thoughts on Humility and Understanding
Find Samuel Arbesman:
[Aidan McCullen is a internationally Thinkers50 recognised thought leader on change and innovation. He is the author of Undisruptable and host of the globally acclaimed Innovation Show. A former international rugby player, Aidan now helps leaders and organisations thrive in an age of constant reinvention.]
