We are often more certain than the evidence really allows.
More quotesThe difficult part remains unanswered. Activity begins anyway.
Week one: pedestal dimensions agreed.
Week two: finish samples reviewed.
Week three: the information plaque is reduced from three paragraphs to one.
Week four: legal asks whether visitors might climb the structure. Barriers are added to the drawing.
Week five: the species is still marked “TBC”. The site is noisy. Nobody has booked an animal specialist.
Week six: tracked changes return on the plaque copy.
Week seven: suppliers price the stone. A cheaper finish is rejected because it may look temporary.
Week eight: someone finally asks how long a monkey can safely perform the proposed act. No one present knows. The question is sent to procurement.
Week nine: procurement asks for a specification. The project group supplies the desired duration, platform size and audience capacity. The species field remains blank.
Week ten: the preferred animal cannot tolerate the location. Alternatives are requested.
Ten weeks of visible work now make cancellation feel irresponsible. The drawings have versions. The stone has samples. The words have owners. The uncertain act has acquired only a longer email chain.
On Wednesday the specialist visits the site. She measures the temperature, listens to the traffic and asks who selected the performance duration. The calendar invitation names no decision owner.