Don't let the excitement of a 'public health approach' become a Fyre Festival

"Politics is a strong and slow boring of hard boards. It takes both passion and perspective" Max Weber.

Simple ideas are seductive. A fresh way of thinking is motivating and, when captured in memorable language, can be potent. Nothing would ever change without a compelling illustration of what the future could or should hold. But rhetoric alone doesn't solve problems and an emphasis on ‘why' and ‘what' without understanding ‘how' leads to disaster. We are surrounded by cautionary tales.

Exhibit 1, 2017's Fyre Festival. The vision of a luxury music festival on social media was enough to attract sponsors and bands, and sell 40,000 tickets. "If you brand it they will come." They did come, but the organisers had underestimated the mundane logistical realities of a three day event for 40,000 people: enough loos, hygienic food storage, smooth transport from the airport.