Michael D. Brown

When we don’t understand risk we tend to overreact. When we don’t understand physics, we tend to panic. This story is a great example of both – and furthers my belief that in almost everything we do in modern society we have built a perception that we can live in a world where there are [...]

I know, I perseverate on TSA. But it is such a great example of so many axioms: bureaucracy will naturally grow larger and larger; government can’t do everything; we can’t (and shouldn’t) live in a risk-free society; government lies to us; government wastes atrocious amounts of money; ad infinitum. Bruce Schneier, a leading security expert [...]

This is why Americans are cynical when it comes to government decisions and regulations. Actor Alec Baldwin gets kicked off an American Airlines flight for refusing to turn off his iPad while playing Words with Friends after the plane door is closed. A week later the FAA approves the use of iPads by pilots on [...]

In Deadly Indifference: The Perfect Political Storm, I talk about the threats and risks we face in every day life that are as real and potentially as dangerous as a terrorist attack. Today we’re witnessing a confluence of news stories that prove my point. According to NBC San Diego: Communities across San Diego went dark [...]

Been to a playground lately? I’m amazed at how sterile and boring they are – even though my grandchildren eventually figure out a way to have fun regardless of how boring they are. Likewise, I usually end up injuring them trying to make the experience more exciting and thrilling. You know – swing the swing [...]

I’ve often talked about how we have become so ignorant of risk and probabilities that we often overreact or under-react to risk. Portland, Oregon’s water system is the latest, humorous example of that problem. According to various press reports: An Oregon city is flushing 8 million gallons of city drinking water because a man was [...]