# Welcome to Don't Overthink This We explore and connect ideas about work, philosophy, and analytics without overthinking it. [[Don't Overthink This|More About Us]] >[!summary] Check out our book >Want to improve your analytical thinking skills? [Thinking Analytically: Five-Minute Reflections on Data, Analysis, and Organization](https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Analytically-Five-Minute-Reflections-Organization/dp/B0C9SF26CK/ref=asc_df_B0C9SF26CK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=663385636736&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7901942609251486504&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005959&hvtargid=pla-2188523740513&psc=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvfmoBhAwEiwAG2tqzHZlSFp6nDoUoop61c9VHNgufiTxPBvFXojccgxhwdmw6ysbCFxa5xoCUgoQAvD_BwEL) --- > [!tip] Checkout our podcast > Episode 38: [[The Politics of the Working Class]] > Episode 37: [[A Magic Carpet Ride]] > Episode 36: [[The Impoverished Creativity of AI]] > Episode 35: [[Sabbatical, Conferences, and Existential Inertia]] > Episode 34: [[Surviving the Organizational Politics of Now]] > Episode 33: [[Analytics Fools' Day]] > Episode 32: [[The Daylight Savings Narrative]] --- ### Recent Posts ### [[Work Indignities]] *Ross Jackson - July 26, 2024* >Under capitalism, people do not have a recognized right to employment. Companies hire employees when they think they can extract surplus value from employment. They will terminate employment when they determine that the amount of surplus labor being extracted is insufficient... [[Work Indignities|Read More]] ### [[A Frustrating Path]] *Brian Heath - July 26, 2024* >If the creator(s) of the world and all things exist and if they gave humanity free will, I suspect they are extremely frustrated. In all likelihood, one would never see if they met the creator(s) as it hardly seems like a thing we would imagine from them... [[A Frustrating Path|Read More]] ### [[Spin Class]] *Brian Heath - July 25, 2024* >A recent [research study](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/25/us/race-wealth-gap-economy.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare)backed by the NY Times has indicated that the race income gap is closing in America. This sounds like a win, as it has been a nearly singular focus for many interested in poverty, race, and equality. However, as highlighted by the study... [[Spin Class|Read More]] ### [[Controlling an Organizational Entity]] *Brian Heath - July 24, 2024* >Is it easier to turn an organization around or start a new one? This is the question for every individual with aspirations of achieving something significant via organizational systems. As one climbs the ranks, one may think they can turn an organization around... [[Controlling an Organizational Entity|Read More]] ### [[Universal Specialness and Games]] *Brian Heath - July 23, 2024* >Should one feel special or mediocre? Within the context of the known Universe, one could take either position. If one believes that there are massive numbers of galaxies, stars, and planets, the odds are high that intelligent life exists elsewhere... [[Universal Specialness and Games|Read More]] ### [[Temperament and Success]] *Ross Jackson - July 23, 2024* >Warren Buffett explained that being a good investor comes down to temperament rather than intelligence. Buffett identified two elements helping one invest: calmness and the ability to not be “in the pack” or against it. Reflecting on these aspects... [[Temperament and Success|Read More]] ### [[Environmental Nothingness]] *Brian Heath - July 22, 2024* >When one cares about something, one tends to look for actions that support that thing. Parents take action to care for their children, a car enthusiast regularly washes and wax their cars, and the health-conscious watch what they eat. So, when it comes to those who care about... [[Environmental Nothingness|Read More]] ### [[Writing for Action]] *Ross Jackson - July 20, 2024* >Writing has a great deal of benefits. Whether in a journal or a blog, taking time to write can help one define and develop one’s thinking. Whereas this type of writing is beneficial, one should ponder writing for action... [[Writing for Action|Read More]] ### [[Going Beyond the Mode of General Knowledge]] *Brian Heath - July 19, 2024* >One cannot know everything. The more one dives into the details of a subject; the more one realizes how little they knew before and how little they know about other subjects. But what of the internet and Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT)? Do these technologies "know" everything... [[Going Beyond the Mode of General Knowledge|Read More]] ### [[Ruler of the Dispossessed]] *Ross Jackson - July 19, 2024* >Predicting the future is a complex task. It is challenging to avoid extending too much of the present into the envisioned future. When people ascend, there is a tendency to imagine the future as the present, except with oneself in a position of greater power... [[Ruler of the Dispossessed|Read More]] ### [[A National Reflection]] *Brian Heath - July 18, 2024* >The wealth of the United States (US) cannot be overstated. We've only begun to tap into the potential. Compared to other nations, the US is hardly efficient in processing its natural resources and geopolitical power. And yet, it is still an economic and global superpower... [[A National Reflection|Read More]] ### [[Determining What Matters]] *Ross Jackson - July 17, 2024* >When rational, organizational decisions are based on some assessment of value. Often, these are analyzed in terms of cost. An interesting aspect of organizational decision-making is that it is usually different, in terms of content, from how individuals make decisions... [[Determining What Matters|Read More]] ### [[Exchanging Hope for Money and Doing Nothing]] *Brian Heath - July 17, 2024* >Many people and organizations claim they want to improve the world somehow. Even if we remove those with questionable motives, the number of nonprofits and people supporting them indicates a significant desire to improve things. However, there is a dark side to this,... [[Exchanging Hope for Money and Doing Nothing|Read More]] ### [[Effective Disagreements]] *Ross Jackson - July 16, 2024* >There is an art to disagreeing without being disagreeable. Many of us are ineffective at navigating the complexities of disagreements. This is unfortunate, as there is excellent potential for disagreeing. People have different perspectives. Things appear differently... [[Effective Disagreements|Read More]] ### [[Where Pictures Take Us]] *Brian Heath - July 16, 2024* >We often take pictures to remember a moment in time. Years later, these pictures jog our memories, and in some small way, we relive the experience. However, some have pointed out that taking these pictures at the moment spoils the full-in-the-moment experience... [[Where Pictures Take Us|Read More]] ### [[Unsurprising System Events]] *Ross Jackson - July 15, 2024* >Systems shape and constrain action. If the parameters of a system are understood, a simulation can be used to model system dynamics and outcomes. A system will generate both positive and negative outcomes. Often, these outcomes are unsurprising... [[Unsurprising System Events|Read More]] ### [[Unthirsty Thirsty Horses]] *Brian Heath - July 15, 2024* >As the saying goes, one can only lead a horse to water but cannot force them to drink. However, this is only part of the situation as the horse often says they are thirsty but still refuses to drink. In this case, the horse is not thirsty. They only say they are thirsty because... [[Unthirsty Thirsty Horses|Read More]] --- ### Some Older Posts * [[Make Work Better]] by *Ross Jackson - July 13, 2024* * [[Organizational Culture]] by *Ross Jackson - July 12, 2024* * [[System - Reform or Revolution]] by *Ross Jackson - July 11, 2024* * [[The Construction of Nations]] by *Brian Heath - July 11, 2024* * [[The What and How of Communication]] by *Ross Jackson - July 10, 2024* * [[Zombie Organizations]] by *Brian Heath - July 10, 2024* * [[The Long Road to Solidarity via Population Dynamics]] by *Brian Heath - July 9, 2024* * [[The Quiet Workplace Revolution]] by *Brian Heath - July 8, 2024* * [[The Information in the Rocks]] by *Brian Heath - July 7, 2024* * [[Work and Society]] by *Ross Jackson - July 5, 2024* * [[Happy 4th of July]] by *Ross Jackson - July 4, 2024* * [[Dark Predictions]] by *Brian Heath - July 3, 2024* * [[The Arc is Long]] by *Ross Jackson - July 3, 2024*