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The motorcycle screw reminds me of a similar problem solving lesson I have learned from experience, which may resonate more with those less mechanically incline
by dmv 18y ago
The motorcycle screw reminds me of a similar problem solving lesson I have learned from experience, which may resonate more with those less mechanically inclined.
When moving a large object (especially a couch), remove everything you can (that is intented to be removable) from the object (legs, pillows) and the path (doors come off hinges easily). The set up and tear down (in testing terms; in practical terms, it is reverse order) steps seem like potential wasted effort, but taken as a mandatory step are constant time. Iterating through the things that need to be removed to achieve the goal is linear, with potentially exponential cost (you get tired). Like what everyone is saying about burn rates in a recession: in hindsight, few regret trimming too early and plenty regret trimming too late. Few complain about a move made too easy.
In theory, this is a straightforward argument that any sufficiently intelligent person could read and practice. In practice, it is not until at least your third move that you pause during the move to question why the plan is "let's just try it first" and "it is not too heavy". But you never see a professional piano mover iterate. This is not a comment trying to propose a solution. I just liked the article for its clean way of expressing how experience matters in your approach.
- josefresco 18y agoI have another boring story. I was moving a treadmill with my Dad yesterday and we had to disassemble parts to fit it into a particular room. As we were working I told him about a treadmill I had owned, that folded up and had good wheels. Lesson? Make and buy treadmills that fold. The end.
- jamongkad 18y agoThank you for putting it in a few sentences.