re: #51 Dread Pirate

This is a variant of something I’ve seen in private enterprise a few times I bet:
1) There is a problem.
2) Your internal sources give you recommendations and/or verifies there is a problem.
3) For REASONS, you don’t want to believe internal sources.
4) External firm is hired to investigate problem (and paid $$$ for it - which gives it value)
(Now, #4 might be hired seriously, or potentially to generate a whitewash.)
5) External firm comes in and talks to internal source since they are the experts on the local conditions.
6) External firm essentially reports same as #2, collects their money, and goes home. Possibly after also making recommendations that might get them, or a related contracting firm, some additional business.
7) Corporate leadership acts on #6 since it has value compared to #2 since they paid for it. (Though they paid for #2 as well, but it’s not the same thing.)