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Grappling With Life's "Wild Problems"

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August 31, 2022

TLDR: Russ Roberts found that decision-making for life's biggest decisions is a wild problem due to uncertainty about future outcomes and permanent changes made through them.

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  • Beyond Cost-Benefit Analysis: A New Approach to Decision-Making for Wild ProblemsTraditional economic decision-making methods are insufficient for complex life choices. Strategies for wild problems include considering tradition, gaining experiential knowledge, and looking beyond basic happiness. A new decision-making framework is required.

    Traditional economic decision-making methods often fall short when it comes to making big, life-defining choices or "wild problems." These wild problems are characterized by uncertainty, a lack of data, and the potential for transformation and permanence. While economists typically approach decision-making by analyzing preferences and weighing tradeoffs, this approach doesn't adequately address the complex nature of wild problems such as deciding to get married or choosing a meaningful career. Instead, strategies for dealing with these wild problems include looking beyond basic happiness, considering tradition, and gaining experiential knowledge. It's important to recognize that these wild problems require a different decision-making framework that goes beyond the usual cost-benefit analysis.

  • Making Life-Changing Decisions: A Step-by-Step ApproachWhen making important life decisions, it is vital to consider our values, aspirations, and personal growth. We should not only think about the outcomes but also how our choices will impact our identity and emotions.

    Making decisions about "wild problems" such as marriage, having children, and choosing a career is complex and challenging. These decisions are not like buying a vacuum cleaner that can be easily reversed if we're not satisfied. They have long-lasting ramifications and can significantly change our lives and how we feel about ourselves. Unlike buying products, we can't rely solely on reviews or checklists to guide us in making these decisions. We need to consider our own values, aspirations, and the kind of person we want to be. These decisions require self-reflection and an understanding that we will evolve and change as individuals as we experience different aspects of life. So, it's crucial to contemplate not just the outcomes but also how these choices will shape our identity and emotions.

  • Going beyond the pros and cons in decision-makingIt is important to consider higher-level aspects of purpose and meaning when making decisions, as some choices involve intangible elements that cannot be fully understood until experienced.

    Making rational decisions based on a simple pro-con list may not fully capture the complexities and benefits of certain life choices. Charles Darwin's decision to get married despite the outweighing negatives highlights the importance of considering higher-level aspects of purpose and meaning in our decisions. Sometimes, the things that naturally come to mind when faced with uncertainty are not necessarily the most important factors. We tend to focus on what we can see and easily assess, neglecting the deeper, harder-to-imagine benefits. It is crucial to recognize that certain decisions, such as marriage and having children, involve intangible elements that cannot be fully grasped until experienced. Understanding the potential changes that come with a decision requires considering what else is at stake beyond the immediate pros and cons.

  • Making meaningful decisions in a complex world.When making decisions, it is crucial to consider the deeper aspects of our lives, such as meaning, purpose, and impact on relationships, in order to make thoughtful and meaningful choices.

    When faced with complex decisions, standard techniques may not be sufficient. Instead of simply weighing the pros and cons, it is important to consider the deeper aspects of a flourishing life. Making decisions based on happiness alone is not enough. We should also consider meaning, purpose, and the overall impact on our lives and relationships. Just like the decision to become a vampire cannot be fully understood without experiencing it, many important decisions in life, such as having children or choosing a career, require a deeper understanding of their complexities and nuances. By embracing a holistic approach and considering the broader aspects of what it means to live a fulfilled life, we can make more thoughtful and meaningful choices.

  • Personalized Journey of Finding Meaning and Purpose in LifeEach individual must explore themselves, their desires, and what gives their life purpose. Embrace tradition and continuously strive for self-improvement to find fulfillment and meaning in life.

    Finding meaning and purpose in life is a personalized journey. It cannot be determined by a set of general principles or by following someone else's path. Each individual must explore and understand themselves, their desires, and what gives their life purpose. This process involves using one's skills to the fullest, gaining self-knowledge through various means such as psychotherapy, meditation, religion, and engaging with literature and philosophy. Additionally, embracing tradition can provide tested and helpful guidance, although it's important to discern between beneficial and detrimental traditions. Ultimately, the act of aspiration, continuously striving for self-improvement and becoming more than who we are now, plays a significant role in finding fulfillment and giving life meaning.

  • The Power of Decisions, Traditions, and Relationships in Shaping our LivesMaking intentional decisions, embracing traditions with curiosity, and prioritizing meaningful relationships can lead to a purposeful and fulfilling life.

    The decisions we make in life define who we are and shape our future. It's important to be aware that these decisions go beyond mere enjoyment or pleasure. While having fun is great, relying solely on pursuing fun can lead to exhaustion and the search for more meaningful experiences. Traditions can be valuable because they already have a proven track record and provide guidance when faced with uncertainty. However, blindly following traditions is a mistake. Instead, we should approach them with a sense of curiosity and seek to understand their purpose. Relationships with others can be seen as covenants rather than contracts, emphasizing the deeper commitment and responsibility we have towards one another. Being open to receiving wisdom from tradition and being humble in our understanding of the world can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

  • The Difference Between Contracts and Covenants in RelationshipsBuilding relationships based on covenants, rather than contracts, allows for unconditional commitment, support, and trust, without keeping score of what each person does.

    There is a significant difference between a contract and a covenant when it comes to relationships. Contracts are based on a quid pro quo exchange, where both parties have explicit responsibilities and keep score of what each person does. On the other hand, covenants are about unconditional commitment and support without keeping score. In a covenant, you understand and accept that the other person may have challenges and imperfections, and you cut them some slack. This type of commitment is powerful and long-term, but it also requires vulnerability and trust. It is important to have covenants with people who have a similar level of commitment to avoid exploitation. Ultimately, being a covenant person means being someone others can lean on and trust, without keeping score of what they do for you.

  • The Importance of Hard Rules in Living a Flourishing LifeUpholding principles of honesty and trust creates a more pleasant world and brings happiness, simplifying decision-making.

    Having hard, firm life rules can be valuable in living a flourishing life. Russ Roberts explains the importance of having these rules by sharing an example of finding a lost wallet. Instead of making a decision based on the amount of money inside the wallet, he suggests returning it no matter what. By having a hard rule of doing the right thing, we avoid convincing ourselves to justify keeping something valuable. Upholding principles like honesty and trust creates a more pleasant world to live in and surrounds us with like-minded individuals. Following these principles may sometimes require sacrifices, but in the long run, doing the right thing brings happiness and simplifies decision-making.

  • Flexibility in Decision-Making: Learning from Bill BelichickEmbrace uncertainty, explore different paths, and gain self-knowledge without worrying about the cost of changing your mind.

    It's okay to make decisions with the understanding that it's not so expensive to change your mind when you discover more about the choice. Bill Belichick, the head coach of a football team, exemplifies this in his decision-making process. He recognizes the uncertainty and unpredictability of the NFL draft, so he acquires more draft picks instead of relying solely on high-value choices. Belichick understands that he can't truly know how a player will fit in until he experiences it firsthand. This idea can be applied to life as well. By sampling different experiences and finding out what truly brings us satisfaction, we can gain self-knowledge without fearing the cost of changing our paths.

  • The Importance of Real-Life Experience in Decision MakingGain real-life experience in desired fields or life choices to make informed decisions, avoid unrealistic expectations, and navigate life's uncertainties effectively.

    It is crucial to test things out and gain real-life experience before making major life decisions. Whether it's choosing a career path or deciding to start a family, relying on fictional portrayals from movies, TV shows, or limited knowledge can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential disappointment. Just as Brett realized that his perception of law was vastly different from the reality, individuals should actively seek opportunities to gain first-hand experience in their desired fields or life choices. This can help in making informed decisions and avoiding unnecessary financial or emotional investments. It also highlights the importance of open communication and sharing realistic experiences, rather than relying solely on idealized representations, when guiding young people in their choices. Ultimately, embracing uncertainty and being open to exploring different possibilities is key in navigating life's wild problems.

  • Overcoming the Challenges of Decision-MakingEmbrace decision-making by understanding that not every choice will be perfect. With practice, become more comfortable with making decisions and realize that mistakes are a natural part of the process.

    Decision-making can be difficult, but it's important to recognize that you're not alone in facing this challenge. Many people struggle with making decisions, whether they are day-to-day choices or more significant ones. It's helpful to understand that the normal approaches we typically use may not always work and that seeking more data or information can be beneficial. However, relying on apps or outside sources for decision-making, such as dating apps or parenting advice, might not yield the desired results. The key is to make more decisions and embrace the fact that not every decision will be perfect. With practice, you can become more comfortable with decision-making and realize that the worst outcomes are often not as bad as you initially think. So, don't be afraid to make decisions and understand that it's okay to make mistakes along the way.

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