Beyond Quick Fixes: Addressing the Complexity & Uncertainties of Contemporary Society

The pandemic is the opening act for climate change, and we need to get much better at anticipating and preparing for these types of challenges. Beyond Quick Fixes steps back from business as usual to rethink how we can approach the complex challenges of contemporary society -- health, education, energy, and social media.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

We find ourselves facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, with the pandemic serving as a mere precursor to the impending climate crisis. To effectively navigate these formidable obstacles, we must significantly enhance our ability to anticipate and prepare. Relying on mere bridge repair or house reconstruction after they have been devastated is both costly and inherently risky, endangering human lives. It is imperative that we adopt a proactive approach, investing in anticipation and preparation, as it yields far greater long-term cost savings.

Unfortunately, the notion of spending now to save later does not align with the prevailing American mindset. However, our nation has demonstrated resilience in the face of numerous crises, including the AIDS epidemic (1981-2013), the Internet bubble burst (2001), the real estate bubble burst (2007), the opioid epidemic (2017), forest fires on the West Coast (2018), and the recent coronavirus pandemic (2020). More recently, we have witnessed the collapse of Afghanistan (2021), the devastating earthquake and hurricanes in Haiti (2021), and the ongoing attack on Ukraine (2022). Throughout these challenging times, we have also experienced various earthquakes, hurricanes, and, thankfully, the absence of locusts.

In his book, Beyond Quick Fixes, author Rouse takes a step back from the conventional approach and delves into reimagining our methods for tackling the complex challenges of contemporary society. Initially, he retreats into the principles of design thinking, rigorously reevaluating our customary modes of operation and exploring alternative frameworks for conceptualizing and addressing complex problems and potential solutions. The outcome is an integrated approach aimed at assisting leaders and advisors responsible for addressing these critical issues.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 147 x 224 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198892533