Only a relatively few understand how to produce or maintain automobiles, airplanes, television sets, machine tools cellular phones, computers and all the other tools of our modern society. Only a handful understand how to produce pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. And very few understand how to organize and lead large groups of people toward productive ends. There seems to be an almost inverse relationship between accessibility and progress. The division of labor and the advance of specialization have led to dramatic advances in human well being.
Specialization is the base upon which modern society has been built.
In his new book, Robert Fogel reminds us of just how dramatic the benefits of specialization have been in a very short period of time Life expectancy in New York and Philadelphia in the early 19th century averaged less than 25 years. Or to put it another way, if we can continue to get this kind of progress through increasing specialization and decreasing accessibility, we should do it. Another feature of complexity is interdependence. On a busy expressway when one person steps on the brakes it has an effect on many others. When an O-ring seal leaks it starts a devastating chain of events.