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10 Concepts that explains the modern world
The document outlines ten concepts that explain the modern world, including Parkinson’s Law, Chesterton's Fence, and the Medici Effect, among others. Each concept is briefly described, emphasizing its relevance to understanding societal dynamics and individual behavior. Key themes include the impact of decision-making, collaboration, and the complexities of governance.
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10 Concepts that explains the modern world
- 1. 10 Concepts that explainsthe modern world Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 1
- 2. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 2
- 3. Parkinson’s Law Parkinson's lawis an axiom that states, "Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". The term was coined by Cyril Northcote Parkinson in a humorous essay he wrote for “The Economist” in 1955. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 3
- 4. Interesting Stress Curver Parkinson'slaw is an axiom that states, "Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". The term was coined by Cyril Northcote Parkinson in a humorous essay he wrote for “The Economist” in 1955. Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 4
- 5. Parkinson’s Law canmean: • Things become harder to complete when more time is given to complete it. • You take longer than necessary to complete a task or you procrastinate and complete the task right before the due date. • The amount of work required for something increases so that it consumes any amount of that may be allotted to it. • The duration of public administration, bureaucracy, and officialdom expands to fill its allotted time span, regardless of the amount of work to be done. • The number of subordinates increases at a fixed rate regardless of the amount of work produced. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 5
- 6. Parkinson’s Law Example: •Companies become bigger and worse over time. Clerks manufacture work for each other as overall capacity dips. When British Navy ships went down from 68 to 20, officials increased by 78%. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 6
- 7. Next Concepts •Chesterton’s Fence Ifyou like then Like | Comment | Share Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 7
- 8. Prepared by: AkashAgnihotri 8
- 9. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 9
- 10. Chesterton’s Fence Chesterton's Fenceis a principle that says you should not make changes until you understand the reasoning behind the current state of affairs. It was coined by English author and journalist G. K. Chesterton in his 1929 book The Thing: Why I Am a Catholic.. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 10
- 11. Chesterton’s Fence: Principle saysthat • Things Change should not be made until the reasoning behind the current state of affairs is understood • Understanding the rationale behind previous decisions is a core component of making great decisions • If we don't understand how we got “here,” we run the risk of making things much worse Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 11
- 12. Chesterton’s Fence If youdon’t know what an old custom does, don’t touch it. It may be holding back problems you’re completely unaware of. You’ve not seen the wolves yet because of the very fence you’re about to demolish. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 12
- 13. Next Concepts •The MediciEffect If you like then Like | Comment | Share Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 13
- 14. Prepared by: AkashAgnihotri 14
- 15. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 15
- 16. The Medici Effect TheMedici effect is the idea that diversity leads to increased creativity and innovation. The term comes from a book of the same name by Frans Johansson. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 16
- 17. The Medici Effect •The Medici effect explains how innovation happens when ideas and people from different fields collaborate. • Also, shows how breakthrough ideas often occur when concepts from one field are brought into a new, unfamiliar territory. • It also offers examples of how to turn ideas into path-breaking innovations. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 17
- 18. The Medici Effectoutlines four steps •Expose yourself to a range of cultures. •Brainstorm solutions to problems with a diverse group of thinkers. •Break away from entrenched ways of thinking. •Look for radical solutions that may change lives. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 18
- 19. The Medici Effect Sculptors,painters, and architects converged in Florence as the Medici were funding the artists. Their proximity led to a fertile dialogue which, in turn, led to the Renaissance. The internet will amplify this cross-pollination of ideas. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 19
- 20. Next Concept •The Centipede’sDilemma If you like then Like | Comment | Share Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 20
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- 22. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 22
- 23. The Centipede’s Dilemma "TheCentipede's Dilemma" is a short poem that describes a psychological effect called the centipede effect or centipede syndrome. The centipede effect occurs when a normally automatic or unconscious activity is disrupted by conscious thought of it. For example, players and sportsmen who think too closely about their actions can find their performance impaired. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 23
- 24. The Centipede’s Dilemma •The poem is about how thinking too much about something you normally do can make it difficult to perform the task. • For example, "A centipede was happy - quite! Said, 'Pray, which leg moves after which?' Not knowing how to run". Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri
- 25. The Centipede’s Dilemma •Themoral of the story "The Centipede" by Rony V. Diaz is "Do not do to others what others can do to you". •The story is a metaphor for how humans can get in their own way by overthinking things. •The story suggests that it's better to trust our instincts and not overanalyze every little thing. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 25
- 26. The Centipede’s Dilemma Aska centipede which one of its hundred legs moves the fastest and it forgets how to move. Reflecting on what we normally do without thought ironically worsens performance. A culture of endless self-reflection, therapy, and navel gazing is eroding important life skills. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 26
- 27. Next Concept •Tyranny ofSmall Decisions If you like then Like | Comment | Share Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 27
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- 29. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 29
- 30. Tyranny of SmallDecisions The tyranny of small decisions is a phenomenon that occurs when a series of small decisions, individually insignificant, cumulatively result in a larger and significant outcome that is neither optimal nor desired. These small decisions, in isolation, may seem perfectly logical and understandable. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 30
- 31. Tyranny of SmallDecisions The tyranny of small decisions can derail grand strategies slowly and often imperceptibly. For example, the smallness of individual transactions may encourage irrational consumer choice, because they are too small to justify the effort of securing good market information. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 31
- 32. Tyranny of SmallDecisions The word “tyranny” suggests a behavioral pattern that occurs more than just occasionally. The tyranny of small decisions specifies not only the behavior (choice) but also its consequence (negative outcomes). Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 32
- 33. Next Concept •The ZebraEffect If you like then Like | Comment | Share Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 33
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- 35. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 35
- 36. The Zebra Effect Zebrasare hard to individually study as it's nearly impossible to track one of them for long (lost in the striped chaos). So scientists once put a big red dot on one zebra so he could be tracked & studied. Lions zeroed in on him and hunted him with ease. Getting lost among others is a survival mechanism. Hence the human desire to conform. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 36
- 37. The Zebra Effect TheZebra Effect is a business model that promotes collaboration, sustainability, and ethical purpose. It's a contrast to the unicorn model, which focuses on profit and disruption. The idea is that companies can benefit from forming partnerships with similar organizations to overcome challenges and achieve mutual success Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 37
- 38. The Zebra Effect Insimple terms, the "zebra effect" refers to a phenomenon where stripes, like those on a zebra, can confuse or deter predators, such as flies or lions. The stripes may make it hard for predators to single out an individual zebra from the herd, making it less likely to be attacked. This camouflage-like effect helps zebras blend in with each other and their surroundings, increasing their chances of survival. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 38
- 39. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 39
- 40. Why The RulerCan’t Rule The executive head can’t implement his ideas on ground because the bureaucrats are closer to it, and have an agenda of their own. The Tzar of Russia had to deal with the Deep State too. Nicholas II: “I never ruled Russia. 10,000 clerks ruled Russia.” Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 40
- 41. Why The RulerCan’t Rule “The Ruler Can't Rule" is a phrase often used to describe situations where a leader or authority figure faces significant challenges in effectively governing or controlling a population. This phrase reflects the idea that governing is not simply about issuing orders or mandates, but also about securing the consent, cooperation, and support of those being governed. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 41
- 42. Why The RulerCan’t Rule In simple terms, “The Ruler Can't Rule" means that sometimes leaders or bosses can't control things as much as they'd like to. This could happen because people don't agree with them, they resist the leader's decisions, or because society is too complicated to control easily. It shows that being in charge isn't just about giving orders, but also about getting people to support you and dealing with all the different problems that come up. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 42
- 43. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 43
- 44. Gall’s Law A complexsystem that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. Only fools and modern technocrats try to create complex systems from scratch. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 44
- 45. Gall’s Law Gall's Lawstates that all complex systems that work evolved from simpler systems that worked. If you want to build a complex system that works, build a simpler system first, and then improve it over time. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 45
- 46. Gall’s Law This law,proposed by John Gall in his book "Systemantics: How Systems Really Work and How They Fail," essentially suggests that successful complex systems didn't start out complex; rather, they began as simpler systems that were effective and gradually evolved over time through incremental changes and iterations. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 46
- 47. Gall’s Law Prepared by:Akash Agnihotri 47
- 48. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 48
- 49. Minimal Self Hypothesis Narcissismis a “strategic retreat” into the safety of one’s own self. When the future looks random, inexplicable, and informationally overwhelming, people enter survival mode. The self becomes “minimal” to reduce its surface area to pain. People today are giving up on commitment of all sorts to conserve energy for vague and upcoming disasters. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 49
- 50. Minimal Self Hypothesis Thishypothesis suggests that this basic sense of self is not dependent on complex cognitive processes or higher- level thinking but is instead a foundational aspect of human experience. It helps us navigate the world and interact with others by providing a sense of individual identity and agency. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 50
- 51. Minimal Self Hypothesis TheMinimal Self Hypothesis is the idea that every person has a basic understanding of who they are. It's like a little voice inside us that helps us know we're different from others and have our own thoughts and actions. This sense of self is really important because it helps us make sense of the world and how we fit into it. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 51
- 52. 10 Concepts thatexplains the modern world •Parkinson’s Law •Chesterton’s Fence •The Medici Effect •The Centipede’s Dilemma •Tyranny of Small Decisions •The Zebra Effect •Why The Ruler Can’t Rule •Gall’s Law •Minimal Self Hypothesis •Tetris Syndrome Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 52
- 53. Tetris Syndrome The worldwill eventually start looking like Tetris blocks if you play the game too much. What we do most often becomes the metaphor through which we look at the world. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 53
- 54. Tetris Syndrome Tetris Effectis a phenomenon that occurs when someone spends a lot of time and effort playing the video game Tetris, which can alter their thoughts, experiences, and dreams. People who play Tetris for long periods of time may see Tetris pieces in their mind or in their dreams, even when they close their eyes or walk away from the game. For example, they might see falling blocks in their dreams or notice square windows and rectangular doors in the real world. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 54
- 55. Take Home Message Mostpeople today are addicted to their 2D phones - and this will hurt the general aptitude for dealing with the 3D world. Prepared by: Akash Agnihotri 55