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Apr 28, 2023·edited Apr 28, 2023Liked by JP Castlin

There is a long history of researchers and thinkers pointing out that success is not due to perfect up front decisions and plans; that many priorities become clear only as we strive to move toward something rather than through planning. We find the path along the way based on what is being learned along the way, and what appears to be strategy emerges in hindsight.

It's great to point out these things, and I think your piece does a terrific job, but why have we still not changed after being told about this so often? A subtext here is how overwhelming our brain's need to quickly establish certainty around a narrative is. If we want to fix our excessive-faith-in-planning problem then what we may need to understand better and work with more is our brain's natural, automatic, fast, subconscious propensities. Paraphrasing the Dave Snowden quote: "...if ... we know these things about human beings, then we have to design on the basis of that knowledge...".

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Apr 21, 2023·edited Apr 21, 2023Liked by JP Castlin

A great piece, JP!

My best wishes for the well being of you and your precious daughter. Hope you feel better very soon!

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That sense of “Are we there yet?” YES!

I wrote about exactly that in the intro to my card deck, and the reply I give to the kids when they ask that (minutes after we set off): “yes! The journey is the destination”

Lovely piece, JP. Wishing you recovery from poxes, inflammations and buboes of every kind.

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