“The greatest intellectual discovery of this generation is that the real cause of problems is solutions.”
We often view progress as a linear path. We identify an obstacle, design a fix, and move forward. However, reality often proves far more cyclical and frustrating. Frequently, the very methods we use to resolve one difficulty birth a new, often more complex dilemma. This paradox haunts engineers, politicians, and business leaders alike.
Eric Sevareid, a distinguished American journalist, captured this irony perfectly. His observation challenges our fundamental faith in simple fixes. It suggests that our interventions do not eliminate trouble. Instead, they merely displace it.
The Origin of a Cynical Truth
Many quote collectors have hunted for the true source of this wisdom. Fortunately, the trail leads clearly to a specific moment in American commentary. Eric Sevareid penned these words in July 1968.
He published the observation in The Progressive magazine. At the time, Sevareid worked as a respected commentator for CBS News. He did not utter the phrase in a moment of abstract philosophy. Rather, he wrote it while analyzing a very tangible crisis.
Specifically, he was discussing the explosive growth of technology. His article focused on a mundane yet revolutionary device: the copying machine. This context grounds the quote in reality. It was not a vague musing. It was a direct response to the tangible side effects of industrial efficiency.
The Photocopying Crisis of the 1960s
Sevareid’s concern seems almost quaint by modern standards. Yet, it was urgent at the time. He worried deeply about the proliferation of paper.
The journalist presented alarming statistics to support his view. He noted that duplicating machines generated ten billion copies in 1965 alone. Furthermore, he predicted a massive surge in volume. Sevareid estimated the number would jump to seventy billion within two years.
Consequently, he foresaw severe environmental impacts. He wondered where the paper would come from. The consumption of trees for this administrative convenience staggered him.
The Cycle of Progress and Destruction
Sevareid explored how society might handle this paper deluge. He mentioned a pessimistic theory regarding the supply of trees. Some observers believed we would only stop when the forests vanished.
However, Sevareid applied his signature wit to the scenario. He realized that solving the paper shortage would likely create new issues. This cycle, he argued, defines the nature of progress.
Thus, he introduced his famous maxim. He called it the “greatest intellectual discovery” of his generation. He pinpointed the solution—the ability to copy documents instantly—as the root of the problem. The solution caused the waste.
Evolution into Sevareid’s Law
The phrase resonated quickly with readers. Just two months later, other writers began to circulate it. Ernest Thompson quoted it in The Ada Evening News in September 1968.
Thompson did not attribute the quote to Sevareid, however. He mixed it with thoughts from other columnists. This suggests the saying entered the public lexicon almost immediately.
By 1972, the academic world took notice. The book Community Organization and Social Planning referenced Sevareid’s insight. The authors used it to explain urbanization. They noted that individual choices often disrupt social institutions.
Therefore, the quote graduated from a magazine column to a sociological principle. It became a tool for explaining complex systems.
The Shift from “Real” to “Chief”
Language evolves, and so did Sevareid’s quote. In 1978, Paul Dickson published a compilation titled The Official Rules.
Dickson tweaked the wording slightly. He labeled it “Sevareid’s Law.” His version stated: “The chief cause of problems is solutions.”
Dickson claimed Sevareid said this during a broadcast in December 1970. However, transcripts do not verify this specific date. Nevertheless, the meaning remained intact.
Whether one says “real cause” or “chief cause,” the sentiment holds true. We fix one thing, and we break another.
Why This Paradox Persists
This concept remains relevant because it describes the “Cobra Effect.” This term refers to attempted solutions that worsen the original problem.
For example, consider modern antibiotics. They solved the problem of bacterial infection. Yet, their overuse created antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The solution birthed a deadlier problem.
Similarly, social media aimed to connect the world. It solved the problem of isolation. Conversely, it created new issues like polarization and misinformation.
Sevareid understood this dynamic decades ago. He saw that human intervention disrupts natural equilibrium. We pull a thread here, and the fabric tears there.
Conclusion
Eric Sevareid’s wit offers more than just a laugh. It provides a necessary warning for innovators. We must anticipate the side effects of our ingenuity.
Tracing the quote back to a 1968 article about photocopiers grounds us. It reminds us that even mundane technologies carry consequences.
Ultimately, we cannot stop solving problems. We must simply accept the cost. As Sevareid noted, the solution will inevitably become the next challenge we face.