Link to article:How to Feel Bad & Be Wrong

Non-AI thoughts

The below article highlighted some key concepts that I feel have a direct impact on my personal and professional life. Avoid the “hard question” in favour of the “easy” one is something I think we can all relate to.

The example of working hard correlating to doing good work is something also explored deeply in Slow Productivity. Clearly this idea of doing the right thing in the right is coming up in a number of places.

I think the example of an individuals perception of the economy is driven by which “team” is in office is very telling, especially in January 2025 as we stare down the barrels of a second Trump presidency, one where even his supporters must surly admit they don’t know what is coming next.

I will take this as a reminder to be more mindful about the journey I am on, and not let compression be the thief of joy.

Summary:

The content discusses the psychological concept of attribute substitution, its benefits, drawbacks, and strategies to mitigate its negative effects.

Idea:

  • Attribute substitution allows quick decision-making but often leads to folly and misery.
  • Nobel Prizes in economics were awarded for uncovering biases stemming from attribute substitution.
  • Humans can imagine enjoying a vacation instantly, thanks to attribute substitution.
  • Without attribute substitution, decision-making would be painstakingly slow and detailed.
  • Attribute substitution underlies common biases like anchoring and the availability heuristic.
  • The mind swaps hard questions with easier ones without conscious awareness.
  • Misguided attribute substitution can lead to significant personal and professional misjudgments.
  • Working until it hurts is a flawed measure of productivity and satisfaction.
  • Comparing oneself to a composite of others’ achievements creates unattainable standards.
  • Economic opinions often reflect political biases rather than objective analysis.
  • People’s perception of the economy flips based on political leadership, not facts.
  • Judging the quality of colleges often relies on reputation, not direct knowledge.
  • People feel worse about missed opportunities close to success than those far from it.
  • Attribute substitution works well except when applied inappropriately, like with certain medications.
  • Avoiding judgment altogether is an unrealistic strategy for combating poor decision-making.
  • Conscious judgment requires knowing what you want, a step often skipped.
  • Life’s challenges can teach lessons more effectively than theoretical knowledge.
  • Realizing personal priorities can prevent misdirected efforts and dissatisfaction.
  • Babies experience the world without confusion, unlike adults who learn to avoid it.
  • Embracing uncertainty and the unknown can enrich the human experience.

Insights:

  • Nobel recognition of biases reveals the profound impact of psychological insights on economics.
  • The ease of imagining pleasurable experiences underscores the power of the mind’s shortcuts.
  • Society’s productivity norms often prioritize effort over actual achievement and well-being.
  • Personal fulfillment is hindered by unrealistic comparisons and societal expectations.
  • Political affiliations skew perceptions of economic realities, highlighting cognitive biases.
  • The reliance on others’ opinions for validation reflects a deeper uncertainty in judgment.
  • Learning from life’s setbacks can be more impactful than academic or theoretical advice.
  • Acknowledging and questioning one’s life choices can lead to more meaningful outcomes.
  • The simplicity with which infants interact with the world contrasts with adults’ complexity.
  • Seeking clarity in life’s mysteries can provide a deeper appreciation for existence.

Quotes:

  • “The human mind is like a kid who got a magic kit for Christmas.”
  • “Attribute substitution makes all of human decision making possible.”
  • “The uncool thing about attribute substitution is that it’s the main source of human folly.”
  • “We routinely outsource important questions to the brain’s intern.”
  • “You just work ‘til it hurts.”
  • “Idleness is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body.”
  • “Ramon combines the greatest accomplishment from each of his old rivals into a sort of Frankenstein of nemeses.”
  • “If my guy’s in the Oval Office, I feel decent.”
  • “Judging quality is often expensive and sometimes impossible.”
  • “Ricky is right back where he was before he got the call.”
  • “Attribute substitution is good 90% of the time.”
  • “Use telekinesis.”
  • “Wear clean underwear and eat a healthy breakfast.”
  • “I’m the kind of person who will spend 90 minutes deciding which movie to watch.”
  • “Being alive is strange and mysterious.”

Habits:

  • Avoid making snap judgments without sufficient information or understanding.
  • Regularly question and reassess personal productivity measures and goals.
  • Compare achievements with personal standards rather than others’ accomplishments.
  • Analyze economic opinions critically, considering potential biases and motivations.
  • Seek direct knowledge or experience when evaluating institutions or programs.
  • Reflect on missed opportunities with perspective on possible worse outcomes.
  • Practice identifying and questioning subconscious decisions and biases.
  • Embrace moments of uncertainty as opportunities for growth and learning.
  • Prioritize defining clear personal and professional goals to guide decision-making.
  • Cultivate awareness of life’s broader possibilities beyond immediate perceptions.

Facts:

  • Psychology has uncovered fundamental biases that have won Nobel Prizes in economics.
  • Attribute substitution underlies many common cognitive biases affecting decision-making.
  • Humans are unique in their ability to make quick decisions based on simplified scenarios.
  • Misguided attribute substitution can lead to significant errors in judgment and happiness.
  • Work culture often equates suffering with productivity, a flawed heuristic.
  • Comparing oneself to an idealized composite of others’ successes is a common practice.
  • Political affiliation significantly influences perceptions of economic conditions.
  • Public sentiment about the economy can shift dramatically with political changes.
  • College rankings often rely more on reputation than measurable quality indicators.
  • People’s emotional reactions to events are influenced by how closely they missed an opportunity.

One-Sentence Takeaway:

Embrace uncertainty and question subconscious decisions to enrich understanding and improve judgment.

Recommendations:

  • Reflect daily on decisions made through attribute substitution to understand biases better.
  • Set clear, achievable goals to avoid measuring productivity by subjective feelings of effort.
  • Regularly compare personal achievements against individual goals instead of others’ successes.
  • Critically evaluate economic opinions by researching beyond political affiliations and biases.
  • Seek firsthand experiences or direct knowledge when evaluating educational institutions’ quality.
  • Consider missed opportunities in the context of all possible outcomes to maintain perspective.
  • Practice mindfulness to become more aware of subconscious decisions and their impacts.
  • Define success in personal terms to guide conscious decision-making and avoid distractions.
  • Cultivate doubt as a means to prevent misinformation and enhance critical thinking skills.
  • Embrace life’s uncertainties as opportunities for growth, learning, and deeper appreciation.