I don't really understand your metaphor. As you say, the M&Ms are just a proxy indicator. They indicate the instructions were read, but they have no direct ro

I don't really understand your metaphor. As you say, the M&Ms are just a proxy indicator. They indicate the instructions were read, but they have no direct role in the stage set. The backup diesel generators, at this nuclear power plant, could be considered a proxy indicator that attention has been paid to more fundamental pieces of the reactor, as your metaphor implies, sure. But the backup diesel generators themselves play a direct and critical role in the preventing a power outage from turning into a nuclear meltdown. Imagine if the M&Ms actually did act as a fire suppression system that would stop a pyrotechnics mishap from burning down the concert arena. That's more like the kind of M&Ms that were supposed to be in the bowl at this power plant.