Not only do the Powers That Be redefine the goals to match the outcome they will brazenly declare 'we are halfway there' when the arrow ploughs into the ground - and ploughing into the ground is a measure of failure, not progress.
Could we see HS2 failing to get to the terminus but still being called a 'success'? Yes. Or reaching the terminus but no trains running at speed? Yes. Or fewer than projected numbers of people using the service? Yes. As long as there's a cutting of the ribbon or a foundation stone unveiling photo-op the PTB will be happy.
DJ - I agree, even HS2 going grossly over budget doesn't count as a failed project. Lockdown isn't counted as a mistake and Net Zero won't be an unmitigated disaster.
6 comments:
I think it was Tim Worstall who said that to set up a system is to invite someone to game the system.
Don Martin was, (is still?), one of the funniest cartoonists ever!
I was a big fan of 'Mad', and was even looking at some of their pages online just yesterday!
I even bought one of his books once, and my mum was furious at 'wasting' 3/9!
It's worse than that.
Not only do the Powers That Be redefine the goals to match the outcome they will brazenly declare 'we are halfway there' when the arrow ploughs into the ground - and ploughing into the ground is a measure of failure, not progress.
Could we see HS2 failing to get to the terminus but still being called a 'success'? Yes. Or reaching the terminus but no trains running at speed? Yes. Or fewer than projected numbers of people using the service? Yes. As long as there's a cutting of the ribbon or a foundation stone unveiling photo-op the PTB will be happy.
Cynical, moi?
Sam - and he was right, it seems to be fundamental to what we are.
Scrobs - I enjoyed Don Martin's cartoons - the images alone made me smile. I bought a number of 'Mad' books too, don't know where they went though.
"Target Culture" sounds like an instruction from Goering.
DJ - I agree, even HS2 going grossly over budget doesn't count as a failed project. Lockdown isn't counted as a mistake and Net Zero won't be an unmitigated disaster.
dearieme - ha ha - very good.
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