Open Future New Zealand

Resolving Wicked Problems

Wicked Problems in the World

What you can find in this section

Here (below) are two alternative views of wicked problems.  first a modern view.  And below a graphic from 30 years ago.  The point is that in a changing world where everything has flows, stores and feedback loops, no problem can be resolved in isolation.  Trying to fix one problem can easily make another issue worse. 

Below are the key issues chosen in 2020, by Sarkar and Kotler. Let's make it simple.  The top five are all connected.  They can't be resolved if the political powers in a country choose not to take the problems seriously.  This is not the view, an educated person like me, is supposed to support.  We are supposed to be modern educated and civilized people, we are problem solvers.  Or are we?  If the political will to resolve these problems doesn't exist, if political infighting, short term thinking, frequent policy reversals, focus on beating down every opposition is the focus, there is no way to make progress with any of these issues.  Let's stop pretending. 

	The Climate Crisis
		Population and Immigration
		International Affairs and Warfare
		Politics and Governance
		Inequality and Poverty
		Personal Health
		Extremism and Terrorism

There are hundreds of interconnected "problems" in the "Problématique Diagram" below"and none of them can be solved with the present methods or with our present understanding of cause and effect.  If key political and economic institutions are making money and gaining power from the current situation, then change led from top is not going to happen. 

The Refugee Crisis
Our Excessive Energy Use
A Housing Crisis
Declining Infrastructure
Agricultural and Drinkable Water Crisis's
Criminal and Political Corruption
Pursuit of Economic Growth

In trying to write anything sensible and understandable about wicked problems I found myself quickly buried in a morass of issues, writing many pages and getting nowhere. Why? I've decided that while climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, terrorism and civil war top the list of current "problems," they can't be resolved because seemingly less important issues like inequality and inability to earn a living, remain unresolved.

I now see, that some ten years ago, when the concept of an "Open Future," was an ideal that seemed achievable, I was excessively optimistic.  I assumed that despite our differences people could and would unite, to save the Earth they know, and to protect humanity.  I now doubt that we have the political will to do that.  I had hoped that international co-operation, the building of consent, the making of new rules and better laws, and the goodwill of governments and institutions would prevail.  I don't see that now.  Rather we seem determined to do battle.