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The Unaccountability Machine

Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions - and How The World Lost its Mind

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The Unaccountability Machine

By: Dan Davies
Narrated by: Peter Dickson
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About this listen

'A corporation, or a government department isn't a conscious being, but it is an artificial intelligence. It has the capability to take decisions which are completely distinct from the intentions of any of the people who compose it. And under stressful conditions, it can go stark raving mad.'

When we avoid taking a decision, what happens to it? In The Unaccountability Machine, Dan Davies examines why markets, institutions and even governments systematically generate outcomes that everyone involved claims not to want. He casts new light on the writing of Stafford Beer, a legendary economist who argued in the 1950s that we should regard organisations as artificial intelligences, capable of taking decisions that are distinct from the intentions of their members.

Management cybernetics was Beer's science of applying self-regulation in organisational settings, but it was largely ignored - with the result being the political and economic crises that that we see today. With his signature blend of cynicism and journalistic rigour, Davies looks at what's gone wrong, and what might have been, had the world listened to Stafford Beer when it had the chance.

©2024 Dan Davies (P)2024 Profile Books Computer Science Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions Corruption & Misconduct Organisational Behaviour Political Science Politics & Government True Crime United States Workplace & Organisational Behaviour World Artificial Intelligence Government Management Capitalism
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Loaded with wit and wisdom this a great walk through economics and how we have built our world. the pragmatic and highly intelligent approach to psychology, economics, politics and history left me with some very memorable truths about how the world works. and might work.

insightful andwell written

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Well written, well researched, extremely clear, thought provoking and actionable. Oh, and very funny too.

Game Changing

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Well written and described for more lay people like myself to understand how these systems are designed. Was a great listen!

An honest look at modern capitalism

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