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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Activity Over Time

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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?