Simon Copsey
Cracking Cholera’s Code: Victorian Insights for Today’s Technologist
#1about 13 minutes
How flawed beliefs led to a deadly cholera response
The widespread belief that cholera spread via bad smells led to counterproductive actions in Victorian London, demonstrating that incorrect beliefs drive harmful behaviors.
#2about 5 minutes
Using cause and effect to validate your beliefs
A belief is only valid if it can logically explain all observed symptoms or outcomes without any missing causal links.
#3about 8 minutes
How John Snow used observations to find the real cause
Physician John Snow identified observations the miasma theory couldn't explain, proving cholera was waterborne and leading to a simple solution.
#4about 8 minutes
Uncovering the root belief behind a business problem
A proposed travel booking website addresses surface-level symptoms, but a cause-and-effect analysis reveals the true problem is a belief that staff can't be trusted.
#5about 4 minutes
How changing a core belief resolves the real problem
Shifting the core belief from distrust to trust eliminates the need for a complex approval process, solving the underlying issues without new technology.
#6about 4 minutes
Technology solidifies processes, for better or worse
Technology makes processes efficient but difficult to change, so it's critical to validate the underlying beliefs before codifying them in software.
#7about 11 minutes
Q&A on applying historical lessons to technology
The discussion covers the importance of asking 'why,' the danger of decision-makers being removed from the front line, and how expertise can narrow perspective.
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