Torrey Canyon was one of the biggest and best ships in the world - but its captain and crew still needlessly steered it towards a deadly reef known as The Seven Stones. This course seemed like utter madness, but the thinking that resulted in such a risky manoeuvre is something we are all prone to do when we fixate on a goal and a plan to get us there.
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11/15/19 • 35 min
2 Listeners
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford - DANGER: Rocks Ahead!
Transcript
Pushkin. I opened the wrapping paper hurriedly with nervous hands, excited to get at the gift inside. Little did I know, disaster was about to enter my previously happy childhood. It wasn't a disaster visited on mean or my family. It was a catalog of disasters for everyone else. For the gift was a book, and it was titled, in bold letters on a blood red background, the World's Greatest Mistakes.
Speaker 1<DANGER: Rocks Ahead! Top Questions Answered
What were the consequences of Captain Ruggiaty's decision to pass through a narrow channel without consulting his crew?
The consequences of Captain Ruggiaty's decision were multiple obstacles encountered by the ship and ultimately a shipwreck leading to an environmental catastrophe with a significant oil spill.
How did Captain Ruggiaty discover that the ship's position was wrong?
Captain Ruggiaty discovered that the ship's position was wrong when he realized that the ship's steering control lever had been disconnected.
What could have happened if Captain Ruggiaty had 30 more seconds to maneuver?
If Captain Ruggiaty had 30 more seconds to maneuver, he could have potentially avoided the rocks in the narrow channel.
How much time did Captain Ruggiaty have to make different decisions and avoid the disaster?
Captain Ruggiaty had two hours to re-route, slow down, ask for advice, or choose a wider channel, but he didn't do so, leading to the disastrous outcome.
What were the findings of the inquiry into the Torry Canyon shipwreck incident?
The inquiry into the incident found that small problems and errors had accumulated to cause the disaster.
What were the lessons learned from the Torry Canyon disaster?
The Torry Canyon disaster highlights the tendency for humans to be slow to change course and emphasizes the importance of recognizing when a plan has become flawed.
Who is the speaker of this episode and what is he known for?
The speaker of this episode is Tim Harford, known as the undercover Economist, who uses scientific ideas to help people think more clearly about the world.
What does Tim Harford do with stories of disaster?
Tim Harford seeks out and collects stories of disaster, examining the details to find root causes and lessons in prevention.
What is plan continuation bias and how does it relate to the Torry Canyon disaster?
Plan continuation bias is the phenomenon where people don't consider alternatives once a plan is determined. It relates to the Torry Canyon disaster as Captain Ruggiaty failed to change his plans despite encountering obstacles.
How did the speaker emphasize the importance of learning from other people's mistakes?
The speaker emphasized the importance of learning from other people's mistakes by sharing cautionary tales and stating that each story has a moral that could happen to anyone.
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