The assessment of threats and the fear of them are shaped by "big bang events" such as September 11. The fear of a recurrence shapes future risk management decisions, prevention tactics, and organizational routines. Decisions are made under the sense of an impending crisis, which produces pressure for a quick consensus that leads to prompt action. There is an impatience with lengthy and thorough study and deliberation on multiple issues and alternative actions. Incremental steps tend to be rejected in favor of a massive overhaul of security measures. This produces ill-conceived policies that fail in their effect but are continued because their architects need to justify their actions, and those who implement them are profiting. 12 notes and 25 references