Imperfect is more "perfect" than perfect
2013-04-18
【the myth of 80/20】
Let's put 80/20 in one sentence: Roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
[The first truth is,this only apply to garbage things/activities]
When you are reading a garbage book,of course 80% of the useness come from 20% of the book.But when you are reading a professional textbook,how can you get 80% of the knowledge from 20% of the textbook?
[The second truth is,most of the 80% causes are indispensable]
Every day,average human sleep 8 hour,spend maybe 1 hour on eating,1 hour on washing... These daily activities cause zero effects,but can you just eliminate them?
Another example,if the 80% poorest people have been eliminated,will the 20% richest peole still be that rich?(don't forget where thier money come from)
【so,what does 80/20 really mean?】
Let's say you are a student,suppose if you use 1 hour to study,you'll end up with 0 score.
2 hour,still 0 score.
5 hour, 30 score.
6 hour, 60 score.
8 hour, 80 score.
10 hour,90 score.
15 hour,100 score.
Have you understand?80/20's real meaning is effects divide causes,which is the "quotient" .This quotient can be 4(80/20),but also can be 1/4(20/80),25(50/2),or 0(0/X).
Now let's go back to the example,you'll find
the effects are 0/100%,30/100%...100/100%.
the causes are 2/15%,5/15%...15/15%.
then the quotient(effect/cause) are 0,90%,150%,150%,135%,100%
The result is,both 8 hour(150%) and 10 hour(135%) are better than 15 hour(100%),that's why I say "Imperfect is more "perfect" than perfect".
【when will 80/20 fail?】
Still last example,Let's say your father will give one dollar for each score,then your best choice is study 8 hour to get 80 dollar.
(Theoretically,suppose you can also "outsource" your study to another student with 60 score and 40 dollar,then your best choice is "outsource" it.)
But what if there are 50 students in your class,and your father will give you 100 dollar if you are number one,98 for number two,96 for number three...then the best choice probably will be study 10hour.Your father may also decide to give you additional 100 dollar for number one,then your best choice is study 15 hour.
See?80/20 is only suitable for the first situation.