Mental Models — To Make Sense Of The World

One of the biggest incompetence that no one talks about, which is quite prevalent in Pakistan, is inability to build context when new information is added.

Several people often tend to completely lose sight of previous discussions, information, conclusions that were reached as soon as new information is given to them.

I like to think that this is because people aren't taught how to think, and their thinking process is quite random. There is an absence of Mental Models.

Mental Models are like little maps in our minds that help us understand how things work. Or, how to make sense of things around us.

Thinking without Mental Models is like navigating a maze without a map: thoughts are scattered, connections are missing, and conclusions are hard to reach.

Mental Models not only help us gather information but also transform it into meaningful knowledge through assimilation. They provide context, establish connections, and guide us to clearer, more informed conclusions.

Mental models can sometimes restrict creativity, but it's essential to know when to break free from their framework and think laterally when needed.

Mental Models aren't based on facts or theory. They can be anything. Here some of the famous mental models include:

First Principles

First Principles thinking is a problem-solving approach where you break down complex problems into their most basic, fundamental elements. Instead of relying on assumptions or what others have done before, you start from scratch and build your understanding from the ground up.

Here's a simple way to think about it:

1. Identify Assumptions: Recognize what you assume to be true.
2. Break Down the Problem: Deconstruct the problem into its basic parts.
3. Find the Fundamentals: Understand the core elements that cannot be simplified further.
4. Rebuild from the Ground Up: Use these basic elements to create new solutions or ideas.

It's like being a detective who looks at the basic facts and pieces them together to solve a mystery, rather than taking someone else's word for what happened.

The Map Is Not The Territory

means that our understanding or representation of something is not the same as the thing itself.

Here's a simple way to explain it:

1. Map vs. Territory: Imagine a map of a city. The map shows streets, buildings, and landmarks, but it's not the actual city—just a representation of it.
2. Perception vs. Reality: Similarly, our thoughts, descriptions, and models of the world (our "maps") are not the world itself (the "territory"). They help us understand and navigate reality, but they aren't reality.
3. Limitations of Representation: Recognize that any representation—whether it's a map, a plan, or an idea—has its limitations and may not capture every detail or nuance of the actual thing.

In short, our interpretations and models are useful guides but should not be mistaken for the real, complex world they represent.

Circle Of Competence

a concept that means knowing what you are good at and staying within those areas. It’s about understanding your own strengths and limits.

Here's a simple explanation:

1. Know Your Strengths: Identify what you are knowledgeable and skilled at.
2. Stay Within Your Circle: Focus on these areas when making decisions or taking actions.
3. Avoid Overstepping: Don’t try to operate in areas where you lack expertise because you’re more likely to make mistakes.

By staying within your Circle of Competence, you can make better, more informed decisions and be more effective in your actions.

Thought Experiments

A thought experiment is a way of exploring ideas and theories by imagining a scenario and thinking through its consequences, rather than performing a physical experiment.

Here's a simple explanation:

1. Imagine a Scenario: Create a situation in your mind, often involving a hypothetical or "what if" question.
2. Think Through Outcomes: Consider what would happen in that scenario, analyzing the possible results and implications.
3. Explore Ideas: Use this process to explore concepts, test theories, or understand complex issues without needing to conduct a real-world experiment.

It's like playing a mental game to test how ideas work and to understand things better by thinking deeply and creatively.

Second Order Thinking

Second Order Thinking involves looking beyond the immediate consequences of a decision to consider its longer-term and indirect effects.

Here's a simple explanation:

1. First Order Thinking: Think about the immediate outcome of a decision. For example, "If I eat this cake, I'll enjoy it."
2. Second Order Thinking: Think about the longer-term effects of that decision. For example, "If I eat this cake now, I might feel good, but later I might regret it because it's unhealthy."

In essence, Second Order Thinking means considering the ripple effects and long-term consequences of your actions, not just the immediate results. This helps in making more thoughtful and strategic decisions.

Occam's Razor

Occam's Razor is a principle that suggests the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

Here's a simple explanation:

1. Simplicity: When faced with multiple explanations for a phenomenon, choose the one that has the fewest assumptions or complexities.
2. Less is More: Avoid adding unnecessary details or complications when a simpler solution suffices.

In other words, if you have two ways to explain something, the simpler one is more likely to be correct.

Inversion

Inversion is a thinking technique where you approach a problem by considering the opposite or reverse of what you want to achieve.

Here's a simple explanation:

1. Reverse Thinking: Instead of focusing on how to achieve a goal, think about how to avoid or prevent the opposite outcome.
2. Problem Solving: By looking at things backward, you can sometimes uncover new solutions or avoid mistakes that might not be obvious at first.

For example, if you want to be healthy, inversion might involve thinking about what could make you unhealthy and then working to avoid those things. It's like flipping your perspective to gain a clearer understanding or find creative solutions.