The problem with attempting to calculate anything of significant importance is the need to factor in every single component of the equation.

And this would presuppose you know absolutely everything that is possibly involved.

Like trying to calculate the changes in the environment from pollution and only including air pollution and ignoring the oceans, how they conduct heat, absorb carbon monoxide and potentially play an enormous role in the global climate.

But let’s assume someone knows absolutely everything about far they are calculating. How many times have plans encountered reality and had significant issues, where things go wrong, calamity approaches at a disturbing velocity, and everyone involved needing to think quickly or find themselves surrounded by wreckage and chaos.

But sure, assume away, be totally confident that you know everything, can see every single factor involved, and there is not a single possibility that you’ve missed one of a billion complications that will if lucky only humble you or worse, doom us all.

Larysa Khomenko -Comments at Young Leaders Symposium