before complaining about someone not making the obvious choice, first ask if that option actually exists (e.g. are they capable of doing it?)
before complaining about a bad decision, to ask if the better alternatives actually exist (people aren’t choosing a bad option because they think it’s better than a good option; they’re choosing it because all other options are worse)
However, since I use it for my own thinking, I think of it more as an imaginary/mirage option instead of a fabricated option. It is indeed an option fabricated by my mind, but it doesn’t feel like I made it up. It always feels real, then turns out to be an illusion upon closer examination.
I like this because it reminds me:
before complaining about someone not making the obvious choice, first ask if that option actually exists (e.g. are they capable of doing it?)
before complaining about a bad decision, to ask if the better alternatives actually exist (people aren’t choosing a bad option because they think it’s better than a good option; they’re choosing it because all other options are worse)
However, since I use it for my own thinking, I think of it more as an imaginary/mirage option instead of a fabricated option. It is indeed an option fabricated by my mind, but it doesn’t feel like I made it up. It always feels real, then turns out to be an illusion upon closer examination.