Systems Don’t Have to Be Broken to Produce Bad Outcomes
I contemplated not publishing an episode this week [I explain why in the podcast], and then ended up recording my longest episode yet.
And to make up for publishing a little late the past two weeks, I am publishing this a day early. You’re welcome, or I am sorry?
I woke up to a message from a friend sharing a video of President William Ruto demanding Veto power for African nations at the 80th United Nations General Assembly [I happened to be in attendance], and I jumped out of bed and got to writing about my favorite beverage: tea! I also got to pen about slave trade, and colonization, and war [I know, what does any of this have to do with Hibiscus tea??!]
This week’s episode explores one of the central ideas behind the third book in the Lessons Book series - Systemic Nonsense: what if many of the frustrations we experience in institutions are not accidents or failures, but predictable outcomes of how those systems were designed?
It often feels like bureaucracy feels so resistant to change, and that reforms often produce more process than progress. It also seems that good intentions so rarely translate into meaningful outcomes. If you’ve pondered on these thoughts before, then these conversations are for you.
This Week’s Book
📖 Systemic Nonsense [Book 3]
This week only, from 27–31 July, the Kindle edition of Systemic Nonsense is available free as part of its Founders Edition launch.
Systemic Nonsense explores several ideas on international development in much greater depth. It asks a simple question:
What if the system isn’t failing? What if it’s doing exactly what it was designed to do?
Whether you listen, read, or dive into the book, I hope it leaves you asking better questions about the systems we inherit—and the ones we choose to build next.
How to Read
To receive your free Kindle copy:
Click the Amazon link below.
Select the Kindle edition while the promotion is active.
Add it to your Kindle library.
You do not need a Kindle device. The free Kindle app works on iPhone, Android, tablets, Macs, and PCs, allowing you to build your digital library wherever you read.
Helpful Links
📚 Read this week’s book for free [search on Amazon or in Kindle for the book that is free for the week, and feel free to purchase the others]:
http://amazon.com/dp/B0FQNJ61SB
📰 Subscribe to The Lessons Conversation:
Africa paperback pre-orders:
https://forms.office.com/r/RMRMKTNd1M
