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Evolution Quote by Dave Eggers

“Creationist? Well, no, it’s not creationist either. The point is that we are probably a bit less top-to-bottom thorough than, say, the Army Corps of Engineers. Well, actually, scratch that. We are probably about exactly as thorough as the Army Corps of Engineers, in that we are intermittently…” quote by Dave Eggers
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““Creationist? Well, no, it’s not creationist either. The point is that we are probably a bit less top-to-bottom thorough than, say, the Army Corps of Engineers. Well, actually, scratch that. We are probably about exactly as thorough as the Army Corps of Engineers, in that we are intermittently thorough.””

Dave Eggers

About This Quote

Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2020

The speaker admits their organization is only intermittently thorough, comparing it to the Army Corps of Engineers, suggesting they are not consistently meticulous.

In simple terms: They are sometimes thorough, sometimes not.

Key Takeaway

Accept occasional lapses but aim for consistent rigor.

Themes

leadership process quality consistency humor

Mood

reflective lighthearted

Type

observational self‑critical

When to use this quote

  • project planning
  • team meetings
  • quality audits
  • performance reviews

Key Concepts

organizational behavior risk management

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does intermittent rigor affect long‑term goals?
  • What systems could improve consistency?
A Different Perspective

Inconsistent thoroughness can undermine trust and outcomes.

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