Abstract :
It is common wisdom that diversity can make a group strong. Approaching a problem or situation from multiple perspectives increases the chances of finding longterm, effective solutions. Several years ago at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), during one of our diversity training sessions, we learned that the ancient Incas were able to survive for centuries on a diet rich in potatoes because they grew a diverse variety of the tubers. As growing conditions changed year to year (drought, wet, or short growing seasons), there was generally one or another type of potato that would survive. We were told that the Irish, on the other hand, focused exclusively on one type of potato that appeared to be well suited to their environment, but when that one variety became susceptible to disease, the terrible Irish potato famine occurred.
