Worst-Case Scenario Debate

Discussions center on the value of considering, worrying about, and preparing for unlikely but catastrophic worst-case scenarios and black swan events, versus dismissing them as improbable or hindsight-based critiques.

📉 Falling 0.4x Politics & Society
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#4211
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Keywords

NOT happen worst bad accident disaster predict outcomes curve preparation trajectory

Sample Comments

skeaker • Jul 2, 2024 • View on HN

What's wrong with looking at what might happen?

kyro • Jan 21, 2014 • View on HN

Please explain to me the worst that can happen because of an event like this.

michaelmrose • Jul 12, 2017 • View on HN

Prior returns don't guarantee future results. Have you considered that people have taken steps to avoid catastrophy.

cortesoft • May 24, 2018 • View on HN

I don't think 'likely' is enough to stop concern. You have to act under the assumption that you will get the worst, not just hope that you will get the best.

i_like_apis • Nov 19, 2021 • View on HN

Everything is gravely dangerous if you ignore looking at bad outcomes.

YetAnotherNick • Jul 7, 2022 • View on HN

So? Anything could have been prevented on hindsight.

moshun • Feb 23, 2025 • View on HN

Agreed. This is nothing to worry about unless you have the ability to predict probable future events.

imtringued • May 23, 2019 • View on HN

There are a lot of things that could happen but there is no reason for them to happen. Provide the reason and they will happen.

brador • Jul 28, 2014 • View on HN

What's the worst that could happen?

Paul-ish • Oct 30, 2015 • View on HN

What's the worst that could happen?