# Illogically Doing Too Much Logically By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-10-14 If one wants proof of the bounded rationality of humans, consider situations where incentives were not followed. For example, say one works for a large organization that only incentivizes company performance, not individual performance. In this situation, one person has little influence on the company's performance. So, a rational person would only work hard enough to ensure that one's peers feel they are part of the team and not be isolated socially. However, very few people operate at this low level of performance. Many work well beyond this. Some may say this is so they can get ahead, but only a few outliers generate massive wealth at large organizations via internal promotions. The rational choice is clear: do the bare minimum not to be let go. Individuals who aspire for more should be incentivized even further to do the minimum as their additional effort is better spent searching for another job or starting their own business. While it is not universally true, it is a useful example of how humans are not logical. We are much more complicated, diverse, and random than logical. Thus, one sees the failure of the modern analyst within organizations of people. Modern analysts view the world and humans as logical data structures first and foremost. This means progress is virtually impossible through this lens. Arguing logically to an illogical person is illogical. So, stop it already. Consider that all models are wrong, usefulness is more important than truth, and sometimes doing the minimum achieves the maximum outcome most efficiently. #### Related Items [[Logic]] [[Work]] [[Rationality]] [[Progress]] [[Analytics]] [[Decision-making]] [[Truth]] [[Models]]