Post #1229511

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preparedness_paradox > The **preparedness paradox** is the proposition that if a [society or individual acts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_preparedness "Emergency preparedness") effectively to mitigate a potential [disaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster "Disaster") such as a [pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic "Pandemic"), [natural disaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disaster "Natural disaster") or [other catastrophe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropogenic_hazard "Anthropogenic hazard") so that it causes less harm, the avoided danger will be perceived as having been much less serious because of the limited damage actually caused. The paradox is the incorrect perception that there had been no need for careful preparation as there was little harm, although in reality the limitation of the harm was due to preparation. > > … > > Historical perspective can also contribute to the preparedness paradox. From the point of view of historians after the [Year 2000 problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2000_problem "Year 2000 problem"), the preventative action taken has been described as an "overreaction", instead of a successful effort to prepare for an upcoming problem.