Why are the Oscar envelopes all the same color?

[Yavin4]

If they were different colors for each category, wouldn't that be easier to sort out for everyone? If they want to stick to one color, why is the name of the award in dark colors? Why not use a lighter color so that the wording stands out in relief?

[rzemanfl]

1. Why aren't they barcoded? It's the 21st century. n/t

[exboyfil]

2. Good points

Big bold letters:

BEST ACTRESS
BEST PICTURE

[brush]

12. Exactly. Make it very clear which envelope is which.

[shenmue]

3. Makes sense

[yallerdawg]

4. The award is printed on the outside of the envelope.

Of course, "color-blindness" could be less prevalent than illiteracy - maybe.

[Louis1895]

9. Put a window on the envelope

And print the award title on top half of the insert so it can be read through the window.

The winner's name can be printed on the bottom half. Fold the insert so it cannot be read through the window.

Easy solutions to this simple problem.

[question everything]

5. These are really excuses. The accountant was twitting instead of watching what he was doing

and, as reported, the accountants memorized all the winners. They should have realized, immediately, that the wrong winner was called. Instead they took their precious time while the poor LLL were thanking everyone..

[Phentex]

7. ...

[MicaelS]

14. This right here

Social media strikes again.

[Phentex]

6. There is no excuse for this. None.

You make good suggestions. But it's not that hard for a person to double check the envelope BEFORE handing it to the presenter. It's not really that complicated.

[Yavin4]

10. You're right. There's no excuse. However....

We tend to take a lot of processes for granted, and we tend to think that a simple process that's hasn't had any errors cannot be improved upon. That kind of thinking can be hazardous.

Yes, an envelope at an Oscars ceremony is meaningless, but what about simple processes in healthcare? Yes, there are a lot of routine, simple processes, but if people take them for granted and don't think that they can be improved upon, the next mistake could be fatal.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

15. "... {W}e tend to think that a simple process that's hasn't had any errors cannot be improved upon.

That kind of thinking can be hazardous."

For example:

Quintinshill rail disaster

The Quintinshill rail disaster was a multi-train rail crash which occurred on 22 May 1915 outside the Quintinshill signal box near Gretna Green in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. It resulted in the deaths of over 200 people, and is the worst rail disaster in British history.
....

An official inquiry, completed on 17 June 1915 for the Board of Trade, found the cause of the collision to be neglect of the rules by two signalmen. With the northbound loop occupied, the northbound local train had been reversed onto the southbound line to allow passage of two late running northbound sleepers. Its presence was then overlooked, and the southbound troop train was cleared for passage. As a result, both were charged with manslaughter in England, then convicted of culpable homicide after trial in Scotland; the two terms are broadly equivalent. After they were released from a Scottish jail in 1916, they were re-employed by the railway company, although not as signalmen.

[Skinner]

8. This seems like a pretty smart solution...

Mashable: That Oscars screw-up could have been avoided with this one design change

http://mashable.com/2017/02/27/oscars-big-type-best-picture/

[mnhtnbb]

11. I suspect there will be a change to the design of the cards next year.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. And there will be a change in accountant personnel.

There are many accountants who CAN focus on the job for a few hours without tweeting or otherwise distracting themselves.

[JI7]

16. because the way they have been doing it works as long as they do their job

And pay attention.