ReThinking Why aiming for the best isn't always good for you (w/ Barry Schwartz and Coco Krumme)
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Nov 7, 2023 
Barry Schwartz, a psychologist and author of "The Paradox of Choice," teams up with Coco Krumme, an applied mathematician and author of "Optimal Illusions." Together, they delve into the pitfalls of perfectionism and the downsides of relentless optimization. They discuss how aiming for the best can diminish personal satisfaction and well-being. The conversation provides insights on the importance of balancing high standards with accepting good enough, encouraging listeners to reconsider their approach to choices in life, work, and relationships.
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Hidden Costs of Optimization
- Optimizing often overlooks unquantifiable effects.
- This creates damage outside the optimization frame, like harming communities.
Maximizing vs. Satisficing
- Maximizers achieve better objective outcomes but experience worse subjective well-being.
- They tend to have higher standards and wider search patterns.
The Fear of Missing Out
- Adam Grant questions if limited searches risk missing better unknown options.
- Maximizers fear this "tunnel vision" and potential regret.
