> when I mentioned this to some of the people involved in the program they were absolutely flabbergasted.
I think that a lot of people have a difficult time understanding that good intentions can lead to bad outcomes.
I think that a lot of people have a difficult time understanding that good intentions can lead to bad outcomes.
We're evolutionarily hard wired to do what's best for ourselves, which often includes being altruistic to gain more social acceptance. That's why being "lonely" is a problem at all, we feel emotional pain to get us to work with the group, since that's what's always meant longer survival.
Determining which is which is a very hard problem. One strategy might be, "Don't do anything unless I'm absolutely certain it will lead to a good outcome." If you do that, you'll miss out on many opportunities that would have good outcomes but who's certainty isn't up to your standards.
So while the intention behind pointing out that good intentions can have bad outcomes is good, the outcome is bad.