the economist as plumber
why approaching wicked problems need more than just engineering
i've been thinking about this fascinating working paper from 2017 by esther duflo, who became the youngest woman to win the nobel prize in economics in 2019. she makes a compelling point about how we often try to solve complex problems with pure engineering solutions, but reality is way messier than that. it's kind of like trying to fix a leaky house - having the perfect architectural plans isn't enough if you don't know how to make the pipes actually work in that specific building.
she shares a story about trying to get nurses in india to show up to work more often. on paper, the solution seemed simple - install time-stamp machines to track attendance. classic engineering thinking, right? but what actually happened was really cool - the nurses and their supervisors just found ways around it, and the whole thing fell apart. it's a perfect example of how human behavior can completely derail even the most technically sound solutions.
what really stuck with me is her point about needing what she calls a "plumber's mindset." it's not just about having big theories or perfect designs - it's about getting your hands dirty and figuring out all those small but super important details that make things actually work. sometimes the difference between a policy succeeding or failing comes down to stuff that might seem really basic, like how forms are designed or where services are located.
the interesting thing is, she's not saying we should ditch engineering approaches entirely - we definitely need those. but when we're dealing with really complex, messy problems (what experts call "wicked problems"), we need to be more like plumbers: willing to experiment, adjust, and really understand how things work on the ground. it's less about finding perfect solutions and more about making things work better bit by bit.
it's quite refreshing. instead of always trying to solve everything with grand theories or sophisticated technical solutions, sometimes we need to roll up our sleeves and deal with the nitty-gritty details. who knew plumbing could teach us so much about solving big social problems?
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at this electric juncture in my life, i'm committing to 30 days of micro-essays – a variation of my earlier ‘50 days of writing’ from 2023. while most pieces will be personal reflections mapping this transformative period, others will explore and crystallize ideas surrounding my company. writing, after all, has always been my way of making sense of pivotal moments.
you can follow along in two ways: subscribe to this substack to receive each micro-essay as it's born, landing directly in your inbox. or, if you prefer a weekly rhythm, these pieces will find their way into my newsletter – a consolidated journey of the week's thoughts, revelations and musings. your choice, your rhythm.