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diff --git a/blog/2020-10-12-mediocrity.org b/blog/2020-10-12-mediocrity.org deleted file mode 100644 index ce79f3b..0000000 --- a/blog/2020-10-12-mediocrity.org +++ /dev/null @@ -1,111 +0,0 @@ -#+date: 2020-10-12 -#+title: On the Pursuit of Mediocrity - -* Perfect is the Enemy of Good - -As the saying goes, "the best is the enemy of the good." As we strive for -perfection, we often fail to realize the implications of such an undertaking. -Attempting to reach perfection is often unrealistic. Even worse, it can get in -the way of achieving a good outcome. In certain situations, we try so hard to -achieve the ideal solution that we have burned the bridges that would have -allowed us to reach a lesser yet still superb solution. - -Philosophers throughout history have inspected this plight from many viewpoints. -Greek mythology speaks of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_mean_(philosophy)][golden mean]], which uses the story of Icarus to -illustrate that sometimes "the middle course" is the best solution. In this -story, Daedalus, a famous artist of his time, built feathered wings for himself -and his son so that they might escape the clutches of King Minos. Daedalus warns -his beloved son whom he loved so much to "fly the middle course", between the -sea spray and the sun's heat. Icarus did not heed his father; he flew up and up -until the sun melted the wax off his wings. For not heeding the middle course, -he fell into the sea and drowned. - -More recently, management scholars have explored the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle][Pareto principle]] and found -that as we increase the frequency of something, or strive to perform actions to -achieve some form of perfection, we run into [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminishing_returns][diminishing returns]]. - -Even further, Harold Demsetz is noted as coining the term [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_fallacy][the Nirvana fallacy]] in -1969, which shows the fallacy of comparing actual things with unrealistic, -idealized alternatives. This is another trap that we may fall into, where we are -constantly thinking of the ultimate solutions to problems, when something more -realistic needs to be considered. - -Over and over throughout history, we've found that perfection is often -unrealistic and unachievable. However, we push ourselves and our peers to "give -100%" or "go the extra mile," while it may be that the better course is to give -a valuable level of effort while considering the effects of further effort on -the outcome. Working harder does not always help us achieve loftier goals. - -This has presented itself to me most recently during my time studying at my -university. I was anxious and feeling the stresses of my courses, career, and -personal life for quite a while, which was greatly affecting how well I was -doing at school and my level of effort at work. One day, I happened to be -talking to my father when he said something simple that hit home: - -#+BEGIN_QUOTE -All you can do is show up and do your best. -Worrying about the outcomes won't affect the outcome itself. -#+END_QUOTE - -The thought was extremely straightforward and uncomplicated, yet it was -something that I had lost sight of during my stress-filled years at school. Ever -since then, I've found myself pausing and remembering that quote every time I -get anxious or stressed. It helps to stop and think "Can I do anything to affect -the outcome, or am I simply worrying over something I can't change?" - -* When Mediocrity Isn't Enough - -One problem with the philosophies presented in this post is that they are -implemented far too often in situations where mediocrity simply isn't adequate. -For example, let's take a look at digital user data, specifically -personally-identifiable information (PII). As a cybersecurity auditor in the -United States, I have found that most companies are concerned more with -compliance than any actual safeguards over the privacy or protection of user -data. Other than companies who have built their reputation on privacy and -security, most companies will use [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisficing][satisficing]] as their primary decision-making -strategy around user data. - -#+BEGIN_QUOTE -Satisficing is a decision-making strategy or cognitive heuristic that entails -searching through the available alternatives until an acceptability threshold -is met. -#+END_QUOTE - -This means that each decision will be met with certain possible solutions until -one of the solutions meets their minimum acceptable standards. For companies -that deal with user data, the minimum-acceptable standards come from three -areas: - -1. Laws and regulations -2. Competitive pressure -3. Risk of monetary or reputation loss - -Working with project management or auditing, the primary concern here is the -risk of legal ramifications. Since the primary risk comes from laws and -regulations, companies will require that any project that involves user data -must follow all the rules of those laws so that the company can protect itself -from fines or other penalties. - -Following this, companies will consider best practices in order to place itself -in a competitive position (e.g. Google vs. Apple) and review any recent or -ongoing litigation against companies regarding user data. In a perfect company, -management would then consider the ethical responsibilities of their -organization and discuss their responsibilities over things like -personally-identifiable information. - -However, as we mentioned above, most companies follow the idea of satisficing, -which states that they have met the minimum acceptable standards and can now -move on to other decisions. Modern business culture in the United States -dictates that profits are the golden measure of how well a company or manager is -performing, so we often don't think about our responsibilities beyond these -basic standards. - -Not all situations demand excellence, but I believe that applying any philosophy -as a broad stroke across one's life can be a mistake. We must be able to think -critically about what we are doing as we do it and ask ourselves a few -questions. Have I done everything I can in this situation? Is mediocrity an -acceptable outcome, or should we strive for perfection, even if we can't attain -it? - -Taking a few moments to think critically throughout our day, as we make -decisions, can have a tremendous effect on the outcomes we create. |