Team of Rivals: “…(General Scott) composed himself for another nap after the President left.”
Ryan
“Gauge blocks are crafted to be so ultraflat and smooth that they stick together when placed against each other. They can only be parted by “wringing” – slide-twisting – them apart. Thus, when stacked, the sum of the amounts on each stacked block is accurate within a millionth of an inch.”
Ryan
“Corrosion is exothermic…meaning it emits heat. Rusting is slow fire, an oxidation process that converts iron excluded to air and moisture into with oxide.”
Ryan
The purpose of the hull is to protect the paint.
The purpose of the reactor is to drive the paint around.
The purpose of the SUBSAFE program is to ensure the paint comes to the surface and will not be lost.
The purpose of the cathodic protection system is to back up the paint.
The purpose of the weapons is to defend the paint.
The purpose of the Special Hull Treatment is to protect the paint.
The purpose of the Vertical Launch System is to destroy those who would do the paint harm.
- US Naval Research Laboratory, on protecting nuclear submarines from rust
Ryan
What can be learned about maintenance mind from all this? One thing that seems clear is the need to examine its opposite: neglect mind. Examples of both were evident in my tale of the 1968 Golden Globe Race…
The race’s biggest loser, Donald Crowhurst, had neither maintenance training nor much sailboat experience, and he was delusionally optimistic. His neglect mind was part laziness and ignorance, part surrender to fantasy.
Current one: Stewart Brand – Maintenance: Of Everything
“Old systems break in familiar ways. New systems break in unexpected ways.”
Team of Rivals: “…(General Scott) composed himself for another nap after the President left.”
“Gauge blocks are crafted to be so ultraflat and smooth that they stick together when placed against each other. They can only be parted by “wringing” – slide-twisting – them apart. Thus, when stacked, the sum of the amounts on each stacked block is accurate within a millionth of an inch.”
“Corrosion is exothermic…meaning it emits heat. Rusting is slow fire, an oxidation process that converts iron excluded to air and moisture into with oxide.”
- US Naval Research Laboratory, on protecting nuclear submarines from rust