Fixes that Fail
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
A system archetype referring to measures taken to solve short-term symptoms. Although temporarily effective, they produce unintended side effects in the long run, worsening the fundamental problem.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Warning against short-sighted traps. When you notice the same problem recurring, and each time after a fix it becomes more severe over time (e.g., borrowing new debt to repay old debt), stop 'firefighting' and seek the fundamental solution of the system.
Anchor fast decisions
One of the system archetypes: a 'quick fix' targeting symptoms is effective in the short term, but because it does not address the root cause and produces delayed side effects (such as rebound, dependency, and delayed loops of new problems), the fundamental problem worsens in the long run, requiring stronger fixes, leading to a vicious cycle. Essentially, it is 'treating symptoms without curing the root cause, with delayed side effects.'
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixes_that_failverified
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