SiMPL #010 Decoding Everyday Decisions Part 1: From Netflix to Home Projects
What Happens When Robots Take ‘Hide and Seek’ Literally
Watching all the U.S. election buzz got me thinking about decision-making—a process we like to think we’re in control of but, let’s be honest, it’s more complicated than it seems. Remember my newsletter on “The Choice Paradox”? (If not, you can catch up here.)
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The Ancient Art of Storytelling and Solving Life’s Puzzles
There’s nothing like the ancient art of storytelling to help us solve universal mysteries and untangle life’s puzzles. Through stories, we find answers, laugh at shared struggles, and sometimes even stumble upon solutions we didn’t see coming. So here is today’s story.
The Choice Paradox Hack: An Ode to Indecision
The other night, my wife and I were in that all-too-familiar post-errand slump, just looking to unwind. I grabbed a couple of beers, tossed them in the freezer (because, honestly, is there anything better than an ice-cold beer?), and flipped on Netflix. You know the drill: a million shows, movies, and documentaries staring back at you, daring you to pick. And whether it’s Netflix, Instagram, or figuring out what flavor of ice cream to get, the Choice Paradox sneaks in every time.
So, here’s my hack for those “I can’t decide” moments. (Grab a pen—or, you know, just remember this for the next time Netflix mocks you with its endless choices.)
Since I’ve got an IT and Process Improvement background, naturally, I’ve got a process for this. In true nerdy fashion, let’s put this into a Gherkin-style process breakdown. Here’s my “Choice Paradox Resolution” strategy:
Gherkin Format: The Choice Paradox Hack
Feature: Choice Paradox Resolution
As an indecisive person faced with too many options,
I want a simple method to make a choice
So that I can quickly decide and move on.
Scenario: Deciding on Netflix
Given I open Netflix with a wide selection
When I find myself unable to decide
Then I follow these steps to make a choice
Steps:
1. If watching is not necessary, go do something else
2. If watching is required and no easy choice appears
Then pick the first common option
3. If no common option is available and still want to watch
Then pick any option and commit to it
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Applying the Hack in Real Life
So, here’s how it goes in practice:
Step One: If I don’t actually need to decide, I’ll just go do something else. Sometimes, the best choice is to skip the choice altogether.
Step Two: If watching something is a must, I’ll go for the first common option. Maybe it’s that movie everyone’s been talking about, or a show we’ve both seen and like—whatever’s easy and familiar.
Step Three: Still nothing? Then it’s time to pick anything and roll with it. Yep, commit, press play, and see where it takes you.
Now, this little method isn’t just for Netflix—use it anytime you’re overwhelmed by too many choices. My personal failsafe: if I’m stuck, I’ll go for Monty Python and the Holy Grail (an old favorite) and a pizza. Works every time.
So, back to the story! It’s Halloween season, and while my wife isn’t exactly a Monty Python fan (I know, tragic!), Addams Family Values ended up being our pick. Perfectly silly, lighthearted, and just the right background movie when you’re looking to unwind.
Project Decisions: The Room Remodel Example
As I said, this decision-making trick isn’t just for picking movies; it applies to almost anything. While we were watching Addams Family Values, we drifted into another recent decision-making saga—our room remodel.
We originally planned for a full room remodeling, going as far as hiring an architect to give us the detailed plans and design for our dream space. But once we saw the plans and assessed the situation, the complexity was high, and tackling everything at once would be a stretch. So, we decided to chop the project into phases, taking a lesson from a project management principle I learned from my peers—the holy trifecta of Time, Resources, and Target.
Every project has to balance these three pillars:
Time: The deadline or timeframe.
Resources: The budget or people available.
Target: The final scope or quality of what you want to achieve.
Here’s how they played out in our remodel:
Time – We had a tight window before October, my wife’s peak business season, which limited how much we could get done without affecting her studio work.
Resources – Our budget was basically cash on hand, but we wanted to keep costs down, especially after seeing the architect’s plans.
Target – Our ultimate goal was to create a functional, beautiful master bedroom, but given our constraints, we needed to be realistic about what could be achieved in each phase.
This balance meant making trade-offs. If you’re short on Time (as we were), you often need more Resources (a larger budget) to meet your Target. But with a limited budget, we had to either extend the Time or simplify our Target. So, we decided to scale down our expectations for Phase 1, focusing on essentials while saving the more ambitious ideas for later.
In the end, breaking it down into smaller steps was the practical choice. By balancing Time, Resources, and Target, we set ourselves up for a phased approach that could grow as we did.
Then, of course, there’s the unpredictable factor—motivation. That wild card can scramble even the most logical decisions. Retailers get it, trust me. They know when we’re most tempted and conveniently place those “must-have” items just when we’re ready to splurge. Like clockwork, they start flashing holiday ads that whisper, “Pssst, your ‘old’ iPhone 14 won’t harness the latest Apple Intelligence. Why not treat yourself this Christmas?” And there you go, eyeing the $1k upgrade.
Gif by snl on Giphy
Stay frosty, my friends. Motivation can be a slippery slope! We managed to stay grounded and kept our room remodel on budget, saving credit as a last resort (more on credit and budgeting in a future issue!).
3 key words to remember: Frequency - Complexity - Novelty
For Phase 1, we had to act fast—October is peak season for my wife’s business, and since the studio connects to our home, dust and debris would have disrupted everything. So the project’s complexity shot up, and timing was key.
Phase 2: The DIY Route
We adjusted our goals and kept it simple, but things didn’t quite go as planned with the contractor. The full story is covered in our previous newsletter:
Then, while watching the movie, we realized we could tackle a few small tasks (frequency) ourselves. We set a modest budget and broke down our priorities: treat the wooden ceiling, replace any damaged pieces, and paint. If there was anything left in the budget, we’d upgrade the toilet and sink. Temporary lighting was a final touch.
Then came the DIY idea. “What if we handle this ourselves?” And if you’re married, you know “we” sometimes means “you.” In this case, that “you” was me.
My wife had her hands full prepping for a Harry Potter event, where she recreated the famous Honeydukes setup: handmade chocolate and pumpkin Mandrakes, Chocolate Frogs, Jelly Beans—the works! As a true Potterhead, she poured her energy into it.
CakesbyMafer.com at Potterfest 2024
So, we kept it simple for this phase, agreeing to skip any novelty items for now. I sourced the materials, came in under budget, and ticked off everything on our list. In less than a week, phase two was complete.
Without even realizing it, our Netflix decision-making hack worked for both our Halloween movie pick and the room remodel. Breaking down choices, working within limits, and focusing on what matters—Frequency, Complexity, and Novelty—it’s all there, whether it’s a night on the couch or a home project.
Coming Next Week
Next week, we’ll dive deeper into decision-making and explore how bias and motivation influence those snap judgments. Whether you’re deciding on a candidate or choosing a movie, there’s more than meets the eye. Stay tuned!
Book Recommendation: I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
This week, I’m going with one of the first sci-fi authors I ever read—Isaac Asimov. I started reading him back when I was 11 or 12, driven by this notion that being the clever, know-it-all type would impress everyone, especially the girls. Spoiler: it didn’t work, but hey, the love for sci-fi stuck! I even re-read I, Robot last week, just to bring you this recommendation.
Now, if we’re talking about decision-making, motivation, and consequences, what better book than I, Robot? Written in the ’40s and ’50s, it dives deep into the complexities and unexpected outcomes when robots follow orders a bit too well. And no, it’s nothing like the Will Smith movie! I, Robot actually began as a collection of short stories, each exploring mind-bending scenarios centered on Dr. Susan Calvin, a no-nonsense robot psychologist.
One of my favorite stories features Dr. Calvin as she tracks down a rogue robot hiding in plain sight among identical machines. The robot, given a simple command to hide, takes things up a notch—not just hiding, but blending so well into the crowd that finding it becomes an intricate puzzle. The motivation here? A strict, literal interpretation of human instructions that turns into a real challenge for Dr. Calvin.
The brilliance of I, Robot lies in how Asimov unpacks those moments when human decisions, intentions, and motivations lead to consequences no one saw coming. It’s kind of like how our own choices—driven by biases and motivations—can lead to unexpected paths. This story actually sparked the theme for next week’s newsletter: biases and motivation in decision-making!
It’s a reminder that even the best-laid systems (or Netflix hacks) can surprise us. You can never anticipate everything—and that’s where the fun begins.
So, if you’re fascinated by AI, decision-making, and unintended consequences, I, Robot is a must-read!
SiMPL’s Weekly World Wrap-Up (Nov 3rd /24)
Georgia’s Election Drama: Ruling Party’s Win Confirmed Amid Protests
It’s not just the U.S. seeing election controversies—Georgia’s parliamentary election has sparked massive protests and international scrutiny. A partial recount by Georgia’s electoral commission confirmed that the ruling Georgian Dream party won, despite claims from pro-Western opposition parties of election interference, allegedly backed by Russian operatives.
The opposition, refusing to recognize the results, has taken to the streets, while pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili labeled the election “illegitimate,” accusing Russia of meddling. The European Union and the U.S. have voiced concerns, citing irregularities and calling for a full investigation. Brussels has hinted that Georgia’s EU membership aspirations could be at risk if these issues aren’t addressed.
Catch the full story and more insights into Georgia’s high-stakes political landscape as it unfolds.
Elon Musk’s $1M-a-Day Voter Sweepstakes Hits a Snag in Philly!
Elon Musk’s pro-Trump voter lottery is stirring up more than excitement—it’s also drawing legal challenges! Musk’s America PAC has been awarding $1 million a day to a registered swing state voter who signs a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner isn’t having it, calling the sweepstakes an “illegal lottery scheme” aimed at influencing voters in a “must-win” state for the Trump campaign.
Last Friday, a federal judge sided with Krasner, deciding to keep the lawsuit in Pennsylvania state court, despite Musk’s efforts to move it to federal jurisdiction. The court found Musk’s claims about federal election issues unfounded, a loss for Musk as the high-stakes case heads back to state hands.
Here is Newsweek’s article here
A Dire Status Report on Trees: 38% Risk Extinction”
A new global assessment reveals that 38% of tree species are at risk of extinction, highlighting their essential role in ecosystems and climate regulation. Major threats include agriculture, logging, and urbanization, with pests and climate change impacting certain regions. Despite a global pledge to end deforestation by 2030, rates remain 45% above targets, underscoring the urgent need for action to protect the world’s forests.
Check the New York Times coverage here
Apple Intelligence: The AI Revolution Feels… Familiar?
Apple Intelligence has officially arrived with iOS 18.1, but so far, it’s more of a baby step than a breakthrough. While Siri is sharper and Writing Tools could give your texts a polish, the long-promised AI enhancements might not be life-changing just yet. The update brings a smarter voice assistant, basic photo cleanup, and transcription features—handy, yes, but not quite the “next level” many expected.
As AI subtly settles into our devices, it seems Apple’s approach is one of cautious refinement over flash. Dive into the full review here.
Perplexity Launches Election Hub to Track 2024 Races
Perplexity, the AI-powered search engine, has launched an election tracker for the U.S. general election, partnering with The Associated Press and Democracy Works. This new hub provides live updates on presidential, Senate, and House races, alongside summaries on candidates, ballot measures, and policies. While AI accuracy in political data is under scrutiny, Perplexity’s approach aims to deliver reliable results in real time.
Check the full article here