The death of common sense
by Philip K. Howard · first published 1994
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2HN commenters
2016–2017first – last mentioned
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Americans are bursting with frustration at government. Thick rule books dictate results that almost never make sense. Government can barely fix potholes or fire an employee who doesn't show up for work, much less accomplish important goals. With the best of intentions, government hands out new legal rights like land grants, usually to victims of history or circumstance, but fails to notice that it then loses its ability to balance everyone's welfare. The land of freedom has become a legal maze of obligation, ritual, and obeisance. With dozens of vivid stories - some humorous, some tragic - Ph
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on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗The Death of Common Sense, Philip K Howard (1994). So not exactly the newest idea, by HN standards anyway.
on “New book argues we can’t expect new tech to rekindle rapid economic growth” ↗