In this book, Guru Madhavan explores the emergence of wicked problems throughout history and suggests ways to address them in the future. He delves into well-known tragedies and lesser-known events, from the design of battleships to a volcanic eruption that disrupted global trade, and how maintaining our sanitation systems represents tikkun olam, or the repair of our world. As a tribute to society’s innovators and caretakers, Wicked Problems offers a fresh perspective for readers of all backgrounds on how to build a better future. It highlights that engineering is a cultural choice—one that requires not only transforming society but also caring for the creations that already exist.