Desperate Measures Overview
In “Desperate Measures to Control Safety,” Part II of the book addresses the urgent actions and strategies that institutions adopt in high-stakes situations to maintain control. As chaotic forces challenge existing structures, there is often little choice but to implement extreme interventions. The urgency behind these measures reflects the severity of crises faced, where conventional approaches fall short, and rapid, sometimes forceful responses are necessary to restore order. Oliveri presents a sobering perspective on how these measures are justified within organizational frameworks, raising the question of where the line between safety and excess should be drawn.
This section provides a broader lens into institutional management, diving into the psychology of decision-makers who must act under pressure and manage both internal resistance and external threats. The narrative reveals that in times of instability, institutions are often pushed to the edge, forced to reassess their strategies and boundaries. Each approach is not just a response but also a test of resilience, character, and adaptability.
Oliveri further discusses the potential consequences—both intended and unintended—of such measures. Often, these actions risk public trust and may even deepen the chaos they aim to mitigate. Despite these potential drawbacks, the chapter makes a case for why organizations sometimes feel they have no other option but to move forward with intensity. By analyzing multiple examples, the book provides readers with a comprehensive look at the intersection of urgency, ethics, and risk in institutional safety.