“Half a century ago H. G. Wells observed, correctly enough, that mankind faced a race between education and catastrophe. But what he failed to recognize was that something like catastrophe has become the condition for an effective education. This might seem like a dismal and hopeless conclusion, were it not for the fact that the power system, through its own overwhelming achievements, has proved expert in creating break-downs and catastrophes. Today's technological breakdowns are no less ominous than the growing resistance of the personnel to performing the unrewarding labor necessary to keep the system in operation.”

experiments.withgoogle.com/coastline-paradox