Test Passed. Reactor Exploded.

April 26, 1986. Chernobyl.

The operators were running a safety test.

They were following procedures.

The test required lowering reactor power. Power dropped too far.

Procedures said: abort and wait 24 hours.

But the shift was ending. The test had already been delayed.

Superiors were waiting for results.

They continued.

Warning after warning flashed.

Each one could be explained. Overridden. Dismissed.

The procedures were written for a reactor that behaved as designed.

This reactor had been pushed beyond design parameters.

At 1:23am, they pressed the button to complete the test.

The reactor exploded.

The operators weren't villains. They were following a theory-in-use different from the espoused theory.

Espoused: "Safety is paramount."

Actual: "Complete the test. Don't delay again."

Pressure revealed which theory was operating.

This note explores THE SQUEEZE, one of four forces from Shadow Strategy. Under pressure, actual values surface. The procedures were followed. The reactor didn't care.