Machine Unlearning – Life lesson unlearned from algorithms

  ‘If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it is a duck’ is a good metaphor to illustrate overfitting and overgeneralization.

Overfitting would turn this phrase into ‘it’s a duck, if and only if, it walks and quacks exactly in ways I have personally observed a duck walk and quack. Since I have never observed the way an Australian spotted duck walks and quacks, an Australian spotted must not really be a duck at all”

In contrast, overgeneralization would say, ‘If it moves around on two legs and emits any high pitched, nasal sound, it’s a duck. Therefore, Fran Fine, Fran Drescher’s character in the 90s American sitcom The Nanny must be a duck”

-          “Data Science for Dummies” by Lillian Pierson

The above is an extract from the book and urges data scientists to guard against over-fitting and over generalization whist using classification algorithms. These are algorithms used in machine learning in for categorizing of data into various segments. Both over generalization and over-fitting can result in ineffective classifications.  

This article is not about machine learning algorithms though. Its about a lesson I unlearned while learning. Yes, unlearning is a form of learning too!

What’s the life lesson here? While the book warns against over-fitting and over-generalization in machine algorithms, can the concepts be used for humans? Humans are not machines. Perhaps using these concepts aptly in our human behaviour might help us get more out of life.

How about over generalization when it comes to love and giving compliments? On the other hand, how about over-fitting when we critique, reprimand or punish? We usually tend to over-fit when giving compliments and overgeneralize when critiquing, at least I for sure do it.    

While some of us might think that making this change will help people around us and that might be true, it is important to note that overgeneralizing love and over-fitting criticism will help the one person that matters the most. You! Try recollecting the last time you critiqued, was it over-fitting or overgeneralized? When was the last time you genuinely and liberally complimented or loved someone?

In the following puzzle, which very few end up solving, the crux solution is in the simplicity of thought of making just one move.

Sometimes life’s puzzles too can be solved though one simple move, one that’s not obvious and usually snugged cozily in our blind spot.

Make that one simple move. Try over-generalization with your love and compliments, and over-fitting with criticism and reprimand. Perhaps peace and happiness will kiss your soul more often than it does today.

Would love to hear comments on your personal experiences. In the meantime, Happy overgeneralizing!

Acknowledgements : Gopika Misra for editing and Sanika Samant for illustrations