If All You Have Is A Hammer...
Mental Models and how to train your brain to think in new ways
Sometimes, I just want a shortcut in thinking—a cheat sheet to understand what is going on around me. The good news is that there is such a thing. Get ready for it, because today...
We discuss mental models! (insert momentous music here - thinking perhaps the Avengers theme music or something equally stirring).
Mental models are the secret sauce to smarter thinking and better decision-making. Our brains are naturally geared toward categorizing and simplifying information. Mental models help you do this. They assist in solving problems, processing information, empathizing, and so on. This week, we will discuss what mental models are, why they are useful, and give a few examples of some mental models that can help you live your life.
What Are Mental Models?
Put simply, a mental model is an explanation of how something works. It’s a broad term encompassing any idea, framework, or perspective that you keep in your mind. Loads of successful people, from billionaire Charlie Munger to theoretical physicist Richard Feynman, credit their success to using mental models. They help you simplify complex concepts and make better decisions. Think of them as cognitive shortcuts that improve your problem-solving skills and decision-making process.
Some mental models are so ingrained in our thinking that we use them without even realizing it. For example, the Golden Rule helps you understand ethical behavior and foster positive social interactions by encouraging you to treat others as you would like to be treated. The concept of cause and effect helps you understand how actions lead to outcomes.
But it’s good to have several mental models to rely on. Why, you may ask? Well, the classic example refers to this Abraham Maslow quote:
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“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
In this case, you (the person with the hammer) have a mental framework that all things must be smashed or possibly pried loose, depending on how handy you are with that hammer. This isn’t bad, but it is limiting.
Adding more mental models lets you expand your thinking. Sure, that hammer is super handy, but for different occasions, you might want different tools. You don’t want to use a hammer when you need tweezers. The more models you have—the bigger your toolbox—the better equipped you’ll be to accurately deal with reality. Mental models also guide your perception and behavior. They are the thinking tools that you use to understand life, make decisions, and solve problems. Learning a new mental model gives you a new way to see the world.
Mental models are useful because they provide a structured way to look at problems. They help you break down complex issues into manageable parts, making it easier to find solutions. By using different mental models, you can approach problems from various angles, leading to more creative and effective solutions.
Exploring Key Mental Models
So, let's delve into a few mental models that can really impact your thinking:
Occam's Razor
Occam's Razor is a principle that suggests the simplest solution is often the correct one. When faced with multiple explanations, this model advises choosing the one with the fewest assumptions.
The concept comes from the 14th-century English philosopher and theologian William of Ockham. He stated the principle as a heuristic for problem-solving and theoretical simplicity. The principle is often summarized by the idea that “entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity,” meaning that one should not make more assumptions than needed. It doesn’t work in every situation, but it can be very handy to start with the premise: If all else is equal, it’s more likely that the simple solution is the best one. Or to put it another way: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid).
Hanlon's Razor
What is it with razors? Hanlon's Razor says never to attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity or carelessness. It's a reminder that people's actions are often the result of simple mistakes rather than intentional harm. As my buddy Mike likes to say, "It's a C student world out there." This perspective helps you avoid unnecessary conflict and focus on more likely, mundane explanations for people's behavior. It might seem kind of cynical, but I find it is slightly more optimistic to think that some people’s negative actions are more because they are stupid rather than mean.
Activation Energy
Activation energy is a concept from science that applies quite nicely to human behavior. In chemistry, it refers to the minimum energy required to cause a reaction to occur. When applied to your life, it represents the effort needed to begin a task.
Some tasks require more activation energy to get started than others. When this is the case, it helps to simplify the start-up process or reduce the amount of activation energy required to get going. For instance, if you want to exercise, laying out your workout clothes the night before can make it easier to start in the morning. If you want to eat healthier, prepare your meals or snacks in advance. It works the other way around as well. You can intentionally increase the activation energy for things you want to do less of. For example, I am trying to stop drinking Diet Coke and soda in general, so I’ve made it less convenient to access in the fridge.
Understanding activation energy is a pretty handy tool for your mental model toolbox. By lowering the barriers to positive actions and raising them for negative ones, you can better control your habits and behaviors.
Inversion
Inversion is a problem-solving technique where you think through a problem in reverse or upside down. Instead of asking how to succeed, you ask how to fail. This helps you nail down potential pitfalls and obstacles that might get in the way of your success. Or as the saying goes, “avoiding stupidity is easier than seeking brilliance."
For example, instead of asking, "How can I give a successful presentation?" ask, "What would make my presentation fail?" Listing issues such as poor preparation, lack of audience engagement, or technical difficulties allows you to address these concerns and ensure a smoother, more effective presentation.
Inversion teaches us that difficult problems can’t always be solved by a single perspective. It can be super helpful to think about them both forwards and backwards.
The Map Is Not the Territory
The map of reality is not reality itself. I know, this sounds like something Morpheus would say to Neo in The Matrix.
The Map Is Not the Territory is a mental model that highlights the difference between our perceptions and reality. It reminds us that our thoughts, beliefs, and representations of the world are simplified versions of the actual world. It stresses that our viewpoints are influenced by our experiences, knowledge, and biases, which makes them subjective and limited. Recognizing this helps us stay open to new information and perspectives so we can update our mental maps and better adapt to changes.
In essence, there can be a large divide between theory and practice. It’s important to have a plan or a model in place, but you also have to be aware enough to alter that plan or abandon the map if the circumstances call for it. For example, if Google Maps tells you to go one way, but experience, road construction, or a flock of geese in the road might mean you should probably find another route.
Conclusion
Sean Connery tells us in The Untouchables that you don’t want to bring a knife to a gunfight. This particular mental model didn’t help keep his character alive, but it’s still a good way to look at the world if you happen to be going up against Al Capone.
In a broader sense, having the right tools for the right situation is crucial. Mental models equip you with diverse ways of thinking. By understanding and applying different mental models, you can improve your ability to think critically and adapt to various challenges. We’ve just covered a few mental models here, but there are hundreds of them out there. I will do some deeper dives on these in the coming weeks.
So, take the time to learn and incorporate these mental models into your daily life. Your brain will thank you, and you'll find yourself better prepared to handle whatever comes your way.
Ever forward.
— Derek (aka Chief Rabbit)
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Engaging with the post! :D Shout out to fellow Nebraskan Charlie Munger (and Feynman is one of my faves!) Some great ways to "unstick" your brain here.