I wrote a short post on World War Z called "Three Principles in Problem Solving."
If you would like to read it, here is the link:
https://christopherjohnlindsay.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/world-war-z-2013/
I am open to any constructive feedback.
I enjoyed that very much! One suggestion that I think would improve it is to address the issue of reframing the problem. All experts are at risk of what is called 'functional fixedness'; there are many FF problems out there that illustrate development of novel uses for (usually) objects. In the case of WWZ, the initial intent was to acquire/develop a cure or vaccine; crucial to the solution of the problem was reframing as well as an amount of satisficing. It was adequate to make everyone unappealing as a potential host in order to stop the spread; without this change, continued searching for a cure or vaccine might have meant the end of human life.
Overall, great article, though!
Oh! I forgot about the idea of The Tenth Man, also; to utilise that type of intellectual insurance doesn't require ten people - it can be a good exercise to genuinely argue against oneself to avoid falling victim to any of a host of cognitive biases.
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