« How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb? None, that’s a hardware problem! » Speaking of problems, let’s dive into the complex world of optimization and how the American fascination with obtaining maximum efficiency often leads to unwanted circumstances.
Take for example the case of Texas’ power grid, where an over-ambitious optimization led to a massive power crisis in 2021, leaving more than 700 people dead. Similarly, in Silicon Valley, tech evangelists like Sam Altman and Andrew Yang are turning to Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a solution to distribute wealth equitably and address social disparities. But as Coco Krumme, applied mathematician and author of the enthralling book « Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization » argues, this obsession with optimization often blinds us to the unexpected repercussions it can produce.
« L’obsession de l’optimisation peut parfois nous rendre aveugles face aux conséquences inattendues qu’elle peut produire. »
Let’s consider the case of Stockton, California, a city which has been in the limelight for public experiments in UBI. The promise of UBI is to provide cash to those who need it most, while subtracting bureaucratic red tape and interests that usually pollute more complex wealth redistribution strategies. While this seems like an elegant solution, experts like Aisha Nyandoro, founder of the Magnolia Mother’s Trust, argue that the social safety net cannot be replaced by such schemes.
Stockton proudly flaunts its place in the spotlight, a far cry from its gold-rush supply boom days, having filed for bankruptcy in 2012. However, in 2021, the Magnolia Mother’s Trust offered $1,000 per month to 100 disadvantaged mothers. Despite these symbolic gestures, it’s evident that the issue is more complex than just simple optimization.
On one hand, the idea of UBI rests on enhancing efficiency and minimizing inequality, but on the other hand, the realisation of this ideal continues to be scrutinised and challenged. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will an equitable society be achieved through overnight strategies.
Whoever said optimisation made life simpler wasn’t considering the human aspect of the equation. Entrepreneurs, social workers, and mathematicians alike are searching for the ultimate formula, but in reality, the equation is more complicated than they anticipate. After all, human beings are more complex than any code, right, dear software engineers?
Source : Engadget
