"Redundancy is ambiguous because it seems like a waste if nothing unusual happens. Except that something unusual happens—usually"

Redundancy might sound like a fancy word, but really, it’s just about having a backup plan. It’s that extra layer of protection which seems unnecessary when everything goes smoothly. Think of it as an insurance policy: you hope you don’t need it, but when things go haywire, you're grateful it's there.

Historically, this idea has stood the test of time. Take the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. NASA put redundant systems in place because, well, space is unpredictable. They had backups for almost everything. It might have seemed like overkill—until something went wrong. And, let's be honest, in a venture as ambitious as space travel, things going wrong isn't a matter of "if," but "when."

Now, picture this: you’re at work, and you’ve got a huge presentation. You’ve saved your PowerPoint on your laptop. Great, right? But what if your laptop crashes? Disaster. But if you’ve uploaded the presentation to the cloud, emailed it to yourself, and brought a USB stick, you’re covered. That’s redundancy in action. It might feel like over-preparation, but when your laptop decides to throw a fit, you'll be the hero who saved the day.

Here’s some advice on weaving redundancy into your life. Start small. Back up important files in multiple places. Keep a spare phone charger in your bag. You can apply this strategy to projects at work, travel plans, or even your finances. Ever heard the saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket?” That’s redundancy. Diversify your investments, have multiple income streams, or simply stash some emergency cash somewhere safe. It’s all about having options when things go south.

Imagine you’re planning a big outdoor event—maybe a wedding. You’ve checked the weather, and it’s supposed to be sunny. But, if you’ve ever relied on a weather forecast, you know it can change in a heartbeat. So, you book that tent, even though it feels like a splurge. If the sun shines, you might think the tent was a waste. But if it pours, you’ll thank your past self for thinking ahead.

Redundancy isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being prepared. Think of it like wearing a seatbelt. Most of the time, you don’t need it. But in that split second when you do, it’s a lifesaver. It’s not glamorous or exciting, but it’s smart. Life throws curveballs, and those safety nets—those redundant systems—catch you when you fall.

So, next time you’re tempted to skip that backup plan, remember redundancy’s golden rule: it only seems like a waste until something goes wrong. And something usually does. It’s just part of the deal. We live in an unpredictable world, after all.