Consensus Quote by Keller Easterling
“There are dangers surrounding innocuousness and consensus and habit. ISO organizes hundreds of people on technical committees who are, no doubt, trying to do their best. But the standards in some cases end up reinforcing violence and destruction thousands of miles away.”
About This Quote
Source Report: ISO Standards Impact Study, 2020
Technical standards can unintentionally support harmful outcomes when they lack ethical scrutiny and are driven by consensus without considering broader effects.
In simple terms: Standards may cause harm if not ethically examined.
Key Takeaway
Critically assess standards before adoption.
Themes
ethics
technology
policy
global impact
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
analytical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- product development
- international trade
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
systems thinking
unintended consequences
responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we embed ethical review into standard‑setting?
- Who should be accountable when standards cause harm?
A Different Perspective
Standards are often shaped by powerful interests, limiting true accountability.
