Do Nothing
Description
Description.
Examples
Examples.
Related Issues
This section describes similarities and differences between this issue and related problem factors and thinking traps.
Components.
Related Engine Processes
Later, we will describe a thinking framework that comprises multiple processes. This section points forward to the processes that deal with this page's topic.
Related Engine Processes.
Further Reading
Further reading.
To Do
Rationalise and link all ‘do nothing’. Does it justify a page in its own right, or is underconfidence qv sufficient? Probably a TT, even though it's a consequence of other TT, in the same way that probability is a consequence of other PF.
Search terms:
* do nothing
* do-nothing
* doing nothing
* precautionary
* underconf...
* unconfiden...
* links to unconfidence
* links to underconf...
* skeptic
* sceptic
cf. precautionary principle, risk aversion.
A reason to do something even if it might not work is because we could learn something about how the system responds to our action. Explore/exploit: finding out how an unknown system responds to actions is an advantage of not doing nothing.
"We must be cautious about being cautious." "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" (cf overconfidence qv): we should not be fools OR angels! 'If we rule out all options, none remains.'
Irreversibility (eg, cane toads): if an action could have irreversible (but possibly unpredicted) side-effects, be more cautious.
Example: Precautionary Principle vs. Don't Do Nothing: Uncetainty(?): should fracking be allowed if we can't predict the consequences? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Oklahoma_earthquake
example of bad consequences from do-nothing: GM crops. Example of bad consequences from NOT do-nothing: cane toads.
Murdered Darlings
Rejected content.