The Titanic Sank and the World Got Dumber

On April 15, 1912, the “unsinkable” RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and sank, killing more than 1,500 people. A hundred years later, much larger and safer ships are still sinking. Why? Because corporations are too cheap, lazy, and incompetent to properly pay and train their crews. in 2012, the cruise ship Costa Concordia sank, and for inexcusable reasons.

The tragedy of the Titanic is possibly the most famous case of the Swiss Cheese Model in action. A series of blunders, mishaps, and bad decisions all contributed to the ship’s eventual sinking. Even one slight chance in the cascade of events might have averted the disaster.

swiss cheese model of accidents

How about the Costa Concordia sinking in 1912? I cringe almost thinking about it.

costa concordia sinking. titanic. 1912. 2012

The accident was as stupid as it sounds. The best explanation of the slow-motion train, er, shipwreck, is this astonishing video from the Internet Historian:

See also:

Ian Kummer

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