===== 📈 Meeting Inflation =====

**Meeting inflation** refers to the unchecked increase in the number, length, and frequency of meetings — often without proportional gain in productivity, decision-making, or meaningful collaboration.

It is a symptom of bureaucratic growth, institutional insecurity, or performative governance.

==== 🔄 Key Characteristics ====
  * **Over-scheduling** – Recurring meetings with little new content.
  * **Redundancy** – Multiple meetings covering overlapping topics.
  * **Scope creep** – Meetings start small but expand in attendees, agenda, and duration.
  * **False urgency** – Creating the illusion that constant discussion equals progress.
  * **Token inclusion** – Inviting people to “appear participatory” without actual engagement.

==== 🧠 In Practice ====
> A weekly task force meeting with no clear decisions, held mainly to update PowerPoint slides or maintain visibility — classic meeting inflation.

==== ⚠️ Consequences ====
  * Time and cognitive fatigue.
  * Delays in actual work or patient care.
  * Demoralization of engaged staff.
  * Inflation of CVs with committee entries instead of outcomes.
  * Institutional stagnation under the illusion of movement.

==== 📎 Related Terms ====
  * [[meeting|Meeting]]
  * [[academic_theater|Academic Theater]]
  * [[bureaucracy|Bureaucracy]]
  * [[careerism|Careerism]]

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**Bottom line**: *Meeting inflation gives the appearance of coordination while draining the will to act.*