I’m glad I read this, and it’s been a repeating line in my head when I’ve tried to make long term plans. I’d like this to be included in the Best Of LessWrong posts.
Even if you are doing something fairly standard and uncomplicated, there are likely multiple parts to what you do. A software engineer can look at a bunch of tickets, some code reviews, the gap where good documentation can be, and the deployment pipeline before deciding that the team is dropping the ball on documentation. A schoolteacher might look at the regular classes, the extracurricular programs, the recess policy, and decide that the school is dropping the ball by focusing too much on sports and not having any theatre program.
If you’re doing something weird and unusual, this gets more useful. While I haven’t done it, my understanding is that finding a place where everyone else is dropping the ball is a good way to find startup ideas. If you’re a new non-profit trying to help people, looking for the underserved parts of your community seems like a good way to make an impact.
I don’t know how idiosyncratic my situation is, and suspect there should be a contrasting essay. Sometimes the reason it looks like everyone is dropping the ball is because there’s some hidden hard part. Inadequate Equilibria might be the long version of that essay, but I’d like a short one to put next to Focus On The Places Where You Feel Shocked Everyone’s Dropping The Ball.
I’m glad I read this, and it’s been a repeating line in my head when I’ve tried to make long term plans. I’d like this to be included in the Best Of LessWrong posts.
Even if you are doing something fairly standard and uncomplicated, there are likely multiple parts to what you do. A software engineer can look at a bunch of tickets, some code reviews, the gap where good documentation can be, and the deployment pipeline before deciding that the team is dropping the ball on documentation. A schoolteacher might look at the regular classes, the extracurricular programs, the recess policy, and decide that the school is dropping the ball by focusing too much on sports and not having any theatre program.
If you’re doing something weird and unusual, this gets more useful. While I haven’t done it, my understanding is that finding a place where everyone else is dropping the ball is a good way to find startup ideas. If you’re a new non-profit trying to help people, looking for the underserved parts of your community seems like a good way to make an impact.
I don’t know how idiosyncratic my situation is, and suspect there should be a contrasting essay. Sometimes the reason it looks like everyone is dropping the ball is because there’s some hidden hard part. Inadequate Equilibria might be the long version of that essay, but I’d like a short one to put next to Focus On The Places Where You Feel Shocked Everyone’s Dropping The Ball.