So back when I was much much younger & brasher, my email signature was "Laziness is an Optimization Protocol". I used that email for applying to my Master's pro

So back when I was much much younger & brasher, my email signature was "Laziness is an Optimization Protocol". I used that email for applying to my Master's programs, including some of my country's most prestigious (and ergo competitive) places. And I think one reason I got into one of them is because my future advisor saw this, chuckled, but then proceeded to have a conversation with me about the importance of being "smart" about how we approach questions, and being efficient about resource use (including time).. I was being cheeky; but he saw that I was kinda / sorta aware of a deeper idea, and helped me develop & identify it. It has stayed with me since.