Outside the Walls

Outside the Walls

Share this post

Outside the Walls
Outside the Walls
Heavy Lifting Time
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Heavy Lifting Time

Richard Merrick's avatar
Richard Merrick
Mar 18, 2020
∙ Paid

Share this post

Outside the Walls
Outside the Walls
Heavy Lifting Time
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Wicked

This is weird. Disruptive, challenging, productive. What is termed a wicked problem - a mystery to be understood not a puzzle to be solved.

The thing I believe is this. We are dealing with two challenges. 

The first is about getting by for the next three months. Not elegant, not trainable, not consultable. The time period is too short, the situation too mobile and unpredictable. It’s hands on, leadership heavy, coping.

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.

F.Scott Fitzgerald

The second is to work out what to do as we pass the peak of this, because it won’t be the same as the situation we’ve left. We have around three to four months to peak Covid-19, and are facing it remaining in circulation through next winter, and most likely before a vaccine is ready and distributable. There is a reasonable chance of a repeat performance.

Schumpeter's Birthday Party

During this time, the infra…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Outside the Walls to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Richard Merrick
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More