4 ms·

Jesus, this is so weird. I've been spending the last few weeks trying to articulate a theory about the illusion of choice being used as a framework for power (c

by jkush 19y ago

Jesus, this is so weird. I've been spending the last few weeks trying to articulate a theory about the illusion of choice being used as a framework for power (can you tell by that statement I haven't quite figured it out just yet?). The discussion yesterday (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=123081 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=123081) about how to break out of paradigms and the Paradox of Choice are closely tied together with the idea I'm working on.

robg 19y ago
See also (where I got the more descriptive phrase in the title): http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/93 http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/93 http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005688 http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/006000... To me, it also ties in with embodiment theory (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=123243 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=123243). We think we'd rather have the buffet, especially on first sight and with an empty stomach. But after gorging ourselves we realize we would have much rather had one really good dish than twenty mediocre ones.
- jkush 19y ago
  I agree with you. What I'm more interested in however, is who really gets to say what dishes are on the buffet? The cooks? The consumers? My gut tells me the consumers have a lot less choice than it appears.
  - robg 19y ago
    If it's your restaurant, you do! Now, if you want to stay in business better to offer a few dishes (not a buffet) that people would kill to eat delivered by cooks who love great, simple food. (And yes, we can run with this line of thought all day. Mmmmmmm, embodiment.)
    - lg 19y ago
      Ah, the Jobsian theory of restaurants.
xirium 19y ago
You may be interested in The Paradox Of Choice - Why Less Is More ( http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6127548813950043200&q=engedu http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6127548813950043200&... ).

by jkush 19y ago

robg 19y ago

See also (where I got the more descriptive phrase in the title): http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/93 http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/93 http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005688 http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/006000... To me, it also ties in with embodiment theory (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=123243 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=123243). We think we'd rather have the buffet, especially on first sight and with an empty stomach. But after gorging ourselves we realize we would have much rather had one really good dish than twenty mediocre ones.

jkush 19y ago
I agree with you. What I'm more interested in however, is who really gets to say what dishes are on the buffet? The cooks? The consumers? My gut tells me the consumers have a lot less choice than it appears.
- robg 19y ago
  If it's your restaurant, you do! Now, if you want to stay in business better to offer a few dishes (not a buffet) that people would kill to eat delivered by cooks who love great, simple food. (And yes, we can run with this line of thought all day. Mmmmmmm, embodiment.)
  - lg 19y ago
    Ah, the Jobsian theory of restaurants.

xirium 19y ago

You may be interested in The Paradox Of Choice - Why Less Is More ( http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6127548813950043200&q=engedu http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6127548813950043200&... ).