"As complexity increases, the search for a 'best' system by analytic comparison of all conceivable alternatives becomes impractical"
Systems Architecture, Eberhardt Rechtin, 1991
This is synopsis of one of my favorite "classic" commentaries from 2001
An interesting article by Philip Armor
The Five Orders of Ignorance, Philip Armour, CACM, Oct 2000, pg 17
and a much later cartoon by
Mount Stupid - Weiner on Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
Want To Make Good Decisions? Avoid Mount Stupid,
Chris Barth, Forbes 2011-12-29
set a standard for discussing knowledge and lack thereof.
Phillip Armour noted in the CACM articles:
"...the kinds of knowledge that must be gained will vary from system to systems. The degree to which the knowledge is unknown will pretty much determine how long it takes us to acquire it." CACM, Dec 2000, pg 15
He then proceeds to follow up on the definitions of ignorance, he brought forward in the October edition:
As I review in The Game Is Rigged, many folk, especially guys want to boost their fragile egos by "wining at any cost". Attitudes and approaches like take the hill , spouting trite phrases to bully others, climbing on Mount Stupid while proclaiming knowledge, are all common, everyday examples.
"Engineering licensing is a tool that has been used for decades to protect the public from those individuals who think more highly of their credentials and abilities than those credentials and abilities actually merit."
July 18, 1998, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers
Surmounting Techno-ease Balkanization - Mocha Express Commentaries, ww09/2001
[1] 2001-ww01 - The Thrill of Flying Along At Internet Speed...
Until Hitting the Rocks At the Bottom of The Cliff
or
"4th Order Ignorance" As A Success Inhibitor