The Opposite of Iatrogenics
Attempts to cause harm can end up helping, and attempts to weaken something can strengthen it. Examples include hackers making systems more robust, critics boosting a book's popularity, and failed schemes that succeed.
THE IDEA
The Opposite of Iatrogenics
While we now have a word for causing harm while trying to help, we don’t have a designation for the opposite situation, that of someone who ends up helping while trying to cause harm. Just remember that attacking the antifragile will backfire. For instance, hackers make systems stronger. Or as in the case of Ayn Rand, obsessive and intense critics help a book spread.
Incompetence is double-sided. In the Mel Brooks movie The Producers, two New York theater fellows get in trouble by finding success instead of the intended failure. They had sold the same shares to multiple investors in a Broadway play, reasoning that should the play fail, they would keep the excess funds—their scheme would not be discovered if the investors got no return on their money. The problem was that they tried so hard to have a bad play—called Springtime for Hitler—and they were so bad at it that it turned out to be a huge hit. Uninhibited by their common prejudices, they managed to produce interesting work. I also saw similar irony in trading: a fellow was so upset with his year-end bonus that he started making huge bets with his employer’s portfolio—and ended up making them considerable sums of money, more than if he had tried to do so on purpose.
Perhaps the idea behind capitalism is an inverse-iatrogenic effect, the unintended-but-not-so-unintended consequences: the system facilitates the conversion of selfish aims (or, to be correct, not necessarily benevolent ones) at the individual level into beneficial results for the collective.
When to use it
When launching a product, consider that harsh reviews might actually increase interest and sales.
In cybersecurity, encourage ethical hacking to strengthen defenses.
When facing tough criticism, use it as feedback to improve rather than becoming defensive.
In competitive environments, recognize that attacks on a resilient system may only make it stronger.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Hackers Make Systems Stronger
Attempts to attack or break a system through hacking often force developers to identify and fix vulnerabilities, making the system more robust over time.
Ayn Rand's Critics
Intense and obsessive criticism of Ayn Rand's work paradoxically helped spread her books and ideas, as people became curious to read what all the fuss was about.
The Producers (Mel Brooks film)
Two theater producers try to create a terrible play to commit fraud, but their incompetence results in a hit that exposes their scheme. Their failed attempt to cause harm produces unintended success.
Reckless Trader
A trader, angry about a small bonus, makes huge risky bets intending to lose the employer's money but instead generates significant profits.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you think of a time when your attempt to criticize or undermine someone backfired and actually helped them?
What systems in your life or work might be antifragile, meaning they get stronger when attacked?
How might you intentionally use the opposite of iatrogenics to turn a negative situation into a positive outcome?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Antifragile (Nassim Nicholas Taleb)