Incompetence

It seems that in a society where advancement is predicated on merit there seems to be an astonishing amount of incompetence. This is especially the case when one considers the scientific and technological advances that enable the solution of some very unique and difficult problems. 

What brings this thought to mind is the current situation on the International Space Station and the two astronauts marooned there by problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The engineers responsible for the project weren't under any particularly frenzied rush to complete the testing before the launch and probably have the personnel, materials and equipment for a successful trip. What went wrong? 

Sadly, that's simply the most obvious sign of the growing pool of incompetence we swim in. The powers that be don't seem to be able to accurately count the votes in the elections meant to produce our "democracy". Highways are repaved at astonishingly short intervals and bridges collapse, why?

The most obvious reason for ineffective solutions to  problems is that "shit happens", unpredictable conditions pop up and derail the most carefully engineered projects. Perhaps the planning and implementation are influenced by factors other than unobserved snags. It's possible but unlikely that somewhere in the pipeline sabotage may be taking place. That was the Soviet excuse, wreckers. Isn't it possible that the general growth in social and technological complexity has revealed that incompetence is at the root of many failures? Aren't decision makers at the highest levels of politics, government and business, as well as their lackeys, guilty of initiating or approving what are ultimately failed efforts at problem solving? That certainly must statistically  be the cause of some expensive disasters. The real source of technological and social catastrophes is incompetence.

A common apology for failure is inadequate budgeting. There wasn't enough funding available to do the project right. So it was done as well as possible under the financial circumstances.

While insufficient funding hampers many plans, no amount of money can eliminate incompetence. Evidently the educational system that produces the expertise in scientific research, engineering, biochemistry, finance and administration isn't able to produce people with the necessary skills to successfully solve problems in these now complex fields. Billions are being spent on AI large language systems that will ultimately be based on what is probably bad information. Maybe it would be wiser to improve or even redesign an educational system that's largely patterned after a 14th century Italian and German model that served its purpose well in an era when no one knew that there was such a thing as bacteria. Education at all levels, from kindergarten to post-graduate studies, needs to be brought up to date.